Nyakatfo – A man has informed the police that he was contemplating to murder Chief Jubiphati Magagula of Nyakatfo and then commit suicide.
According to sources close to the matter, *Thabo told Buhleni police that he wanted to slit the chief’s throat with a bush knife and then consume deadly pesticide called Masta 900 to also take his life.
A relative to the chief informed this publication that the bone of contention was as a result of the chief seizing a water pump Thabo and other men allegedly used to draw water from a manmade dam (inkelebhe) to irrigate dagga plants.
According to the source, Chief Jubiphathi announced to his subjects that he planned on constructing the manmade dam which was to be used by the community for irrigation purposes and providing drinking water for their livestock.
“The chief came up with the idea due to the scarcity of water in the area; people in the area wanted to plough crops during the winter season,” said the source.
Information gathered is that the chief organised a bulldozer for the construction of the manmade dam and paid for 420 litres of fuel to be used for digging up the dam.
After digging for two days, the excavator ran out of fuel and it is said that former Speaker and Mhlangatane Member of Parliament (MP) Madala Mhlanga and the then Bucopho purchased 210 litres of fuel each and the digging of the manmade dam was completed.
“When the rain season came, the manmade dam was filled to its full capacity and the chief summoned his subjects once again to inform them that the project had been a success so residents must utilise the water for ploughing and providing drinking water for their livestock,” said the source.
The insider claimed that the chief warned that residents should not use the water for dagga irrigation purposes anyhow.
However, despite this warning, Thabo and his group is said to have installed a water pump at the dam and drew water to irrigate their dagga fields nearby. The source said the chief tried to engage Thabo and his group over the matter but allegedly continued drawing water from the dam to irrigate their dagga plantations.
“The chief then reported the matter at Buhleni Police Post and the police arrived a few days later at the area where they destroyed the dagga fields. He also seized the water pump they used to draw the water and kept it at the Umphakatsi,” said the relative.
It is then that Thabo allegedly started threatening to kill the chief and thereafter commit suicide. Family members are said to have tried to talk sense to Thabo but he allegedly insisted that he wanted to kill the chief -a message he is said to have conveyed even to Buhleni police.
The source said the chief did not actually reject returning the water pump generator but directed Thabo and his group to come to him with their parents. Following the alleged threats, the chief is now said to be living in fear.
When reached for comment, Thabo agreed that it was true that he was contemplating to kill the chief and thereafter commit suicide something which he confirmed had informed the police. He also confirmed that they used the water pump generator confiscated by the chief to irrigate dagga fields.
In fact, according to prior to construction of the manmade dam, there was a water hole at the site at which the dam was built which for years they had been using to irrigate their dagga fields. He said construction of the manmade dam meant that this water resource was forcefully taken from them.
“I told the police I thought about doing something devilish. I am thinking of killing him and then committing suicide. If I kill him and then kill myself who will the police arrest?” he asked rhetorically.
Thabo insisted that he wanted back his water pump engine and said it cost him E11 000 when buying it. He claimed that he had found out that the chief was now using his (Thabo)’s water pump generator as the chief owned a similar one but was now faulty. Thabo said the chief had been fighting his family since 2016 and he was now tired of this which is why he now wanted to behave like an animal.
Chief Jubiphathi was also reached for comment and he said the police were very much aware of the matter as he had also reported it. He also added that the police have not in any way helped him except that they only came to destroy Thabo and his group’s dagga fields.
Thabo also confirmed that the police indeed arrived to destroy their dagga fields after the chief had reported to them.
“I now keep dogs to alert me when something suspicious is taking place outside. The police only destroyed the dagga fields and told me that rain water belonged to God and every person had the right to use it,” he said.
The chief said by virtue of being a community leader, he was obligated to disallow any criminal activities taking place at his chiefdom. He said Thabo and his group should have respected him as a chief by hiding that they were dagga growers and not do it just in front of his eyes.
Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said it was true that it was reported that there were people using water to irrigate dagga fields. However, she said nothing official was reported on the alleged threats to his life but said he should come to the police to formally report the threats.
*Not real name
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