Man murdered at tavern and community burns suspect's house

A 32-year-old resident of Ramantsha in the Sinthumule area was stabbed to death at a local tavern early on Saturday morning.

The spokesperson for the Limpopo police, Lt-Col Moatshe Ngoepe, confirmed the incident. "We were alerted by members of the community, who saw that the incident took place," he said.

Ngoepe added that a case of murder had been opened. “Mr Philemon Makgaphane was stabbed to death with a sharp object while at a liquor outlet,” said Ngoepe. A suspect, Thulani Buasi (26), was arrested regarding the event and he appeared in the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. The case was postponed to 17 January for a bail application.

On behalf of the family, Mr William Makgaphane said they were very touched as a family by the support they had received from the community and other stakeholders. "We are still in pain after this great loss. Philemon was a good man and with a bright future ahead of him. He was an exemplary man.”

The deceased is survived by his two children and his spouse and will be buried tomorrow (Saturday) at the Ramantsha cemetery. The service will start at 06:00 at his house.

It was also reported that members of the community later allegedly set the house of the suspect at Ravele village alight.

Date:13 January 2018

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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