THE court became a murder scene when a community hero was stabbed to death in full view of court officials on Friday!
Hendrick Shai (45), a local politician from Lorraine Village, Ga-Sekororo outside Tzaneen, was stabbed several times as he walked to the witness box. He collapsed next to the magistrate’s desk.
He had just returned from outside the Lenyenye Magistrates Court after the magistrate asked him to make a phone call regarding his legal representation in an assault case.
Hendrick was arrested for
allegedly assaulting two men.
A witness and Hendrick’s relative, Jeffrey Morema, said Hendrick was followed by a man who stabbed him in the neck several times, killing him instantly.
The man was arrested and charged with murder. Jeffrey said Hendrick’s life was threatened soon after he started a political party called Civil Warriors of Maruleng early last year.
“His party became powerful and in the August local elections he won ward 12. Ever since then his life wasn’t certain. He received telephone threats but he always answered them. He wasn’t afraid to die,” said Jeffrey, adding that Hendrick played a huge role in his community.
“He helped many young people
apply for bursaries, and orphans would often come to his house to be fed.
“He was the breadwinner in the Shai family. It’s hard for us to deal with the pain,” he said.
On Thursday, Hendrick held a large community meeting with his supporters. “The meeting was his goodbye to us,” Jeffrey added.
