Police investigators positively link two brothers to SAMWU murders

LIMPOPO – Two brothers from Thohoyandou appeared in court today in connection with the murders of South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) members, Ronald Mani and Timson Musetsho Tshimangadzo (Tshililo).

“Both murder accused, were remanded in custody by the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court and their case postponed until 30 April for bail application and further police investigations,” said Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo.

Tshililo was gunned down outside his home at Makwarela, north of Thohoyandou on the evening of 24 January, while Mani was shot in a similar fashion at a local liquor outlet at Itsani village, just outside Thohoyandou at around 19:40 on 30 January. Tshililo succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

Since the murder, a high level team of investigators led by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner responsible for Crime Detection, Maj Gen Samuel Manala was assembled to track down the people responsible for the murders. In November 2020 the police offered a combined monetary reward of up to R500 000 (R250 00 each) for information that could lead to the arrest and subsequent conviction of the suspect(s) responsible.

On Monday, 5 April the police confirmed that two suspects, aged 26 and 33, were administratively charged in connection with the murders.

He explained that the duo were initially arrested on Friday 19 March for possession of firearms and ammunition during an operation conducted by the Tzaneen Tracking Team at Rwanda village under Letsitele policing area. “Further investigations linked the duo to several crimes committed in the Thohyandou area including the murders of the Samwu Vhembe leaders.”

The suspects have been positively linked to several serious crimes committed in the area since 2018. These include:

• Murder and robbery at FNB in Thohoyandou in 2018.
• Two counts of murder at Mandala village, Siloam in 2019.
• Robbery and attempted murder at Game, Thohoyandou in 2020.
• House robbery at Muledane location, Thohoyandou in 2020.
• Robbery and kidnapping at Mukula, Thohoyandou in 2020.
• Robbery at Sibasa in 2020.
• Theft of motor vehicle at Makwarela, Thohoyandou in 2020.
• Robbery and kidnapping at Tshilivhani, Thohoyandou in 2020.
• Robbery and kidnapping at Phiphidi, Thohoyandou in 2020.
• Murder at Phiphidi plantation, Thohoyandou in Nov. 2020.
• Intimidation at Sibasa Advark Shop, Thohoyandou in Jan. 2021.
• Robbery and attempted murder in Giyani in March 2021.
• Two counts of possession of illegal firearms and ammunition at Rwanda village in Letsitele in March 2021.

A 27-year-old man was formally charged in December 2019 with the murder of Mani. This case is still pending.

Ledwaba has welcomed their arrest and commended all members who were involved in these investigations for their ‘relentless pursuit of any information provided and their determination in cracking these horrendous crimes’. “These arrests will undoubtedly put to a halt, the reign of terror allegedly perpetuated by these heartless suspects and will go a long way in ridding the affected districts of criminality.”

He also thanked the public for continuously assisting the police in the fight against crime.