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get out of our village, families told

Riot Hlatshwayo

Riot Hlatshwayo

The family of a Shangaan disco musician from Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga was evicted from their home after the community allegedly recovered goods that had been stolen from a businessman who was killed during an armed robbery two weeks ago.

The musician, Welcome "Pensele" Ubisi, distanced himself from the incident. He said the evicted family included his father and stepmother.

"Yes, it is my family but I'm not involved," Ubisi said. "Please save my good name because I'm against what happened."

The eviction follows the shooting to death of Temote Rogers Mokoena of Hlamalani village in Bushbuckridge on July 9, allegedly by four men who also stole goods and money from the deceased's tuck shop.

Nobody knew who had committed the crimes until community members held a meeting in which a teacher from Mkhweyantaba High School revealed the suspects' names.

The community went on the rampage, searched three houses, one of which belonged to Ubisi's family. They allegedly found goods that had been stolen from Mokoena. They also found two containers with blood believed to be that of Mokoena.

Members of the community ordered the three families to leave their village. Ubisi's stepmother, Vusiwana Mnisi, was arrested. She was released on R1000 bail pending her next court appearance next month.

Before the eviction one of the four alleged killers, Ace Sitlale, 26, went to the teacher at Mkhweyantaba High School and threatened him with a gun. He allegedly ran away when police arrived.

Police shot and killed Sitlale while he was trying to get away. Police allegedly confiscated two firearms from him.

Mokoena's mother, Sesinyana Maluleke, told Sowetan that her son was a very loving man who never argued with anyone.

"He was our breadwinner and I could not believe he was dead when we were told about his death. We are still in shock because one of the killers is the younger brother of the famous musician Pensele," said Maluleke yesterday.

Police arrested three men, one of whom is believed to be Pensele's younger brother, on charges of murder.

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