LIMPOPO – A 30-year-old Bolobedu TikTok influencer and owner of a rehabilitation centre, Appreciate Makhubela, appeared before the Modjadjiskloof District Court on Wednesday, July 23.

Makhubela was arrested in connection with the death of a 29-year-old man who died after being admitted to Mankweng Hospital in critical condition on July 12.

According to a police report, the incident began on July 2 when the suspect allegedly took the victim from his home in Ga-Sekgopo village to the rehabilitation centre in Modjadjiskloof.

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said that the victim was allegedly assaulted, sustaining bruises and swelling across his body, and was then locked in an isolated room.

“The victim was reportedly struggling to walk and unable to bathe. On July 10, he was returned to his home in Ga-Sekgopo and immediately rushed to Mankweng Hospital, where he was admitted in critical condition,” said Ledwaba.

On July 14, the victim succumbed to his injuries. Initially, an inquest was opened at Mankweng Police Station.

Following a forensic post-mortem conducted on July 18, a pathologist confirmed that the deceased had sustained severe physical injuries. Based on the findings, the case was upgraded from an inquest to a murder investigation on Monday, July 21, and transferred to Modjadjiskloof police.

Police then launched an immediate manhunt. Members of the Mopani Tracking Team, in collaboration with Modjadjiskloof police, arrested the suspect the next day, Tuesday, July 22. Makhubela was charged with murder and remains in police custody.

His case has been postponed to Thursday, July 31, for a bail hearing and further investigations.