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Ms Tshililo Ralinala is being comforted by some of her fellow villagers while crying outside the Sibasa Regional Court. Photo: Victor Mukwevho Ne-vumbani.
News - Date: 06 September 2024
Drama unfolded at the Sibasa Regional Court when the mother of Murendeni Ralinala, a 21-year-old man brutally killed in Dopeni two years ago, stood up and walked out crying during the court proceedings.
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon when the two murder suspects, Andani Munzha and Tsepho Munarini, appeared in court.
The commotion began when Munzha's lawyer requested a postponement of the trial until the end of the year, citing that Munzha would be sitting for his Grade 12 examinations until 21 November.
“How is he allowed to continue with his education when my son is six feet under the ground? I worked very hard to send my son to school, but the suspect who [allegedly] killed him is busy attending school and even asking the court for more time to prepare,” the mother shouted, storming out of the courtroom, trembling with anger.
Most of those who came to court to support her followed her outside, while others tried to calm her down and called for social workers to assist.
The second accused, Tsepho Munarini, changed his legal aid lawyer and requested a postponement to find a new one. The case was then postponed to 26 November 2024 for trial.
When Ms Tshililo Ralinala was later contacted, she had calmed down and said she had been unaware that Andani Munzha was attending school far away in Matshavhawe village.
“It seems like the law favours the rich in this country. I am tired of the suspects changing lawyers as a delaying tactic to buy themselves time for education. But as poor as I am, I will fight for justice for my son. I will fight until my last breath,” she said before starting to cry again in front of her other young children.
Victor Mukwevho Ne-vumbani joined the Mirror during it's inception in 1990. He joined the SABC newsroom in 1995, and was known by listeners as "A u fhedzisela ari". He was a news editor for The Tembisan Newspaper from 2007 to 2015. He rejoined the Limpopo Mirror newspaper in June 2022 as a freelance journalist.
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