Police in Lethabong near Rustenburg in the North West have opened two cases, murder and malicious damage to property, following a tavern altercation that left one man dead in the early hours of New Year’s Day. The Witnessreportsthat the incident occurred at about 03:25 yesterday. According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane, patrons were inside a tavern when several people allegedly began igniting fireworks indoors.
Those opposed to the behaviour confronted them, sparking a fight that started inside the tavern and spilled outside. During the altercation, a 38-year-old man was stabbed with a sharp object and died at the scene. During the commotion, a 38-year-old victim was stabbed with a sharp object and died instantly.
“Thereafter, a group that was with the deceased allegedly attacked the suspect, who managed to flee the scene on foot. The group then identified the suspect’s vehicle that was parked nearby, and set it alight.” The group later identified a vehicle believed to belong to the suspect, which was parked nearby, and set it alight. Tselanyane says the suspect reportedly went to a police station after learning his vehicle had been burnt and was scared to the tavern.
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Upon being identified as a murder suspect, the 45-year-old man was arrested and detained. “He is expected to appear in the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court in Tlhabane on Monday, on a charge of murder.” Acting North West provincial commissioner Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo condemned the incident.
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