Five men who were convicted of the murder of the mayor of Collins Chabane municipality, Moses Maluleke, will know their fate today. Tshianeo Munyai (32), Avhatakali Isaac Mudau (39), Shumani Nemadodzi (48), Pfunzo Lidzebe (33) and Wiseman Baloyi (37) were found guilty of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition by the Polokwane High Court yesterday.

MAYOR MURDERED

Maluleke (56) who was also the ANC Vhembe region's deputy-secretary was shot dead at his home in Xikundu Village, outside Malamulele, in July 2022 and his 18-year-old son who was him at the time was shot and injured. The two were attacked by three men who had approached Maluleke and demanded money. When Maluleke did not comply, he and his son were shot but the mayor succumbed to his injuries. Six suspects were arrested a few weeks after the murder. 

GUILTY 

National Prosecuting Authority provincial spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the court accepted the evidence of a key witness who is implicated in the murder but turned state witness. She said the court found the witness to be honest in his testimony. "This witness implicated himself, all the accused persons, and other unknown people in the commission of these offences," Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said. She further said that the court found that the state proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and that the five men all acted in the furtherance of a common purpose and that the offences committed by the accused were planned. Deputy Judge President Violet will deliver her sentence today.