Police in Lethabong near Rustenburg 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 incident occurred at about 3.25am on Thursday, 1 January 2026. According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane, patrons were inside a tavern when several individuals 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 said the suspect reportedly went to a police station after learning his vehicle had been burned and fearing to return 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, 5 January 2026, on a charge of murder. Police said further arrests are not ruled out.”
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