Alex Matlala
Alex Matlala
A prominent chief will appear in the Vuwani magistrate's court in Limpopo today charged with the negligent handling of a firearm.
The chief, whose name cannot be disclosed until his court appearance, was arrested at his house yesterday after his licensed firearm was found to have been used in the killing of a taxi driver.
Police yesterday also arrested the chief's 16-year-old son and three other suspects at Levubu near Tshakhuma.
The suspects had allegedly used the firearm to kill Freddy Azwidowi, 34, a taxi driver in Thohoyandou, after they asked him for a lift.
Azwidowi was shot in the head. He lost control of his vehicle lost control and crashed into an oncoming bus. Police said the suspects fled after the crash.
"We acted on a tip-off from members of the community who reported the accident," Superintendent Mohale Rama- taseba of the Limpopo police said.
"We followed leads and arrested the men a few kilometres from the scene."
The suspects will face charges of murder tomorrow, Ramataseba said.
"We arrested the chief because our investigations connected the firearm that was used in the murder to him.
"His firearm was licensed, but was used by people who did not have a licence to use it. He will appear today in the same court," Ramataseba said.
Meanwhile, two awaiting-trial prisoners escaped from Tshitale Prison in Vembe yesterday.
The escapees are Joseph Manganyi, 28, who is awaiting trial for housebreaking and robbery, and Michael Hamisi, 32, who is awaiting trial for rape. Police described them as "very dangerous".
Chief's gun used to kill taximan
Alex Matlala
Alex Matlala
A prominent chief will appear in the Vuwani magistrate's court in Limpopo today charged with the negligent handling of a firearm.
The chief, whose name cannot be disclosed until his court appearance, was arrested at his house yesterday after his licensed firearm was found to have been used in the killing of a taxi driver.
Police yesterday also arrested the chief's 16-year-old son and three other suspects at Levubu near Tshakhuma.
The suspects had allegedly used the firearm to kill Freddy Azwidowi, 34, a taxi driver in Thohoyandou, after they asked him for a lift.
Azwidowi was shot in the head. He lost control of his vehicle lost control and crashed into an oncoming bus. Police said the suspects fled after the crash.
"We acted on a tip-off from members of the community who reported the accident," Superintendent Mohale Rama- taseba of the Limpopo police said.
"We followed leads and arrested the men a few kilometres from the scene."
The suspects will face charges of murder tomorrow, Ramataseba said.
"We arrested the chief because our investigations connected the firearm that was used in the murder to him.
"His firearm was licensed, but was used by people who did not have a licence to use it. He will appear today in the same court," Ramataseba said.
Meanwhile, two awaiting-trial prisoners escaped from Tshitale Prison in Vembe yesterday.
The escapees are Joseph Manganyi, 28, who is awaiting trial for housebreaking and robbery, and Michael Hamisi, 32, who is awaiting trial for rape. Police described them as "very dangerous".
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