Grade 11 learner stabbed to death

The community of Manavhela in Kutama is still reeling with shock after the death of the 17-year-old Mpho Rabinda, who had allegedly been stabbed to death.

Mpho was a Grade 11 pupil at Manaledzi High. According to reports received, Mpho and another man were allegedly on their way home from a birthday party early on the morning of 15 March, when an argument between the two ensued. A fight broke out and Mpho was severely stabbed in the head and in his left hand.

The spokesperson for the police in Limpopo, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo, said that when the police had arrived at the scene, Mpho’s lifeless body had been lying on the ground. “He had a big stab wound to his head. Emergency personnel arrived and he was transported to the Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital, where he was declared dead,” Mojapelo stated.

A 26-year-old suspect was arrested directly after the incident and charged with murder. He was brought before the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court on 17 March and the case was postponed to 25 March for a formal bail application. The suspect is Naledzani Makone from Manavhela village.

Mpho’s sister, Ms Mashudu Rabinda, told Limpopo Mirror that the incident had caught them completely off guard. “It came as such a shock to us. We are very sad.” She said that the family members were overwhelmed with grief and had no idea how this could have happened. “He was so young, and we were still awaiting many good things from him. The incident has left our family traumatised, and it will take a long time for us to recover from it.”

On behalf of the family, Mashudu expressed her appreciation to all the members of the community, and especially the pastors in the area, who supported them.

Vhamusanda Vho-Nkhangweni Manavhela expressed his shock about the incident and strongly condemned this kind of impulsive behaviour. He said that people with disputes must seek for an amicable solution, not kill each other.

Mpho will be buried on Saturday, 20 March, at Manavhela Graveyard. The service will start at 06:00.

Date:19 March 2021

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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