‘Jabola’ drinking spree ends in murder
Three young Letlhakane men have been arrested for murder after a Saturday night drinking spree spiraled violently out of control.
The trio: Tumo Galekhutle, 22, Godwill Gotlhafuna, 18, and 24-year-old Oteng Motshwarakgole, were arraigned before the diamond town’s Magistrate Court on Tuesday, where they were remanded in custody.
They are accused of killing a 34-year-old man at Matswake cattlepost, some 15km out of Letlhakane.
It is said the suspects were drinking together with the deceased, and had consumed copious amounts of the traditional beer, jabola, when a ‘misunderstanding’ led to bloodshed.
The victim was reportedly smashed over the head with a quart bottle before he was stabbed several times with what police described as ‘a sharp object’.
Confirming the incident, Letlhakane Station Commander, Michael Maphephu told The Voice his officers received the report at around 8am on Sunday morning.
“We got a tip-off from a resident in Letlhakane, who heard the news from her mother. Our police officers attended the crime scene where they found a man’s seemingly lifeless body in a pool of blood. People who were there said they could not take him to the hospital as they did not have a car,” explained the top cop, adding he could not reveal the dead man’s identity as he was yet to be buried.
“He was rushed to Letlhakane Primary Hospital where he was certified dead upon arrival. The three men were arrested later the same day in connection with his murder. We suspect a sharp instrument or object was used to stab the deceased.”
Although Maphephu stressed investigations were ongoing, he revealed it was reported the suspects had attacked another man earlier in the night.
However, he ran for his life and managed to escape. They then allegedly turned their attention to a different drinker, who unfortunately was not so lucky.
Having been remanded in custody, the accused killers will remain behind bars until their next court appearance, scheduled for 21 December.
Meanwhile, Maphephu urged the public to drink responsibly.
“People should know when to say ‘I am okay’. They should not drink in a way that they end up forgetting who they are and do things that they regret the following day,” closed the Police Chief.
