TZANEEN – A TAVERN owner bore the brunt of Mandlangadzi village residents’ fury on Sunday after a koppie dice gambler who was well- known in the area, was found murdered shortly after he won around R10 000 gambling.
The residents burnt down the tavern owner’s two houses and tavern and set alight his cars as well.
They accused him of murdering Solly Mkansi (45), whose body was found with multiple stab wounds and his head had been hacked open. Mkansi was reportedly gambling with a group of men at the tavern concerned during a Makhwaya dance festival, where he won around R10 000.
Mkansi’s sister, Flora Mashale, said they were called to the scene shortly after her brother was found. “His body was wrapped in a duvet and his head was steeped in blood. The man at the mortuary said his head was hacked open and his brain was dislodged from his skull,” Mashale said.
This was confirmed by his nephew, Jeffrey Mkansi, who said the family was still shocked by the incident.
“We are aware who those responsible for his death are and we hope the police will bring them to book soon,” he said.
A resident in the village who did not wish to be named, said a community meeting was held on Sunday to try and locate those believed to be responsible for his death. “The name of the tavern owner topped the list. He allegedly worked with some known thugs in the community to rob Mkansi of his money,” the resident said.
Tzaneen cluster police spokesperson, Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe, confirmed that the residents accused the owner of the tavern of the murder, and burnt his property.
Ngoepe said the estimated damage caused during the violence was around R4 million.
“We have opened four cases of public violence, arson, malicious damage to property and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm,” Ngoepe said.
