Man stabbed to death at shebeen

Three people, including a woman, appeared in the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court on 10 August on charges of murder, following an incident where Rudzani Mutepe (43) died at a shebeen at Tshikhwani in the Sinthumule area on the night of 3 August.

Mutepe was allegedly stabbed to death while drinking locally brewed traditional beer (Mutomboti) at Tshikhwani.

The four people were reportedly seen drinking Mutomboti together on the day of the incident and through the night at a local shebeen. What exactly happened next remains unclear and most residents can only speculate.

According to Limpopo police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo, an argument ensued between them, after which the three suspects allegedly stabbed Mutepe several times in his head with sharp objects.

Mutepe was rushed to Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his head injuries two days later, on Thursday, 5 August.

David Makhokha (51), Ms Ambani Makhokha (26) and Azwihangwisi Luvha (47) were arrested the following day (Friday, 6 August) and charged with murder. They appeared in court on Tuesday (10^th) and the case was postponed to 16 August for further investigation.

The deceased’s brother, Bernard Mutepe, said that Rudzani had been attacked with pangas. “I received a call from a relative, who said she had heard that my brother had been stabbed during a fight at a shebeen. I immediately left my house and walked to the shebeen.” Bernard was overwhelmed with grief and said that the family had no idea what had happened there that night.

Vhamusanda Vho-Mbulaheni Ramabulana said that the traditional council was worried and hugely disturbed by the fact that so many people were killed in the village. “This is the third murder incident in the village since January. We are tired of this. We urge everyone to stand up with us, so that we can fight this curse that is threatening to wipe us out altogether.” Ramabulana conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the Mutepe family.

Mutepe will be buried on Friday, 13 August, at Tshikhwani. The service will start at 06:00.

Date:12 August 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.

Read: 2223