Thohoyandou tavern stabbing leaves 22-year-old dead
Thohoyandou police intensify investigations into a murder outside a Budeli tavern, while residents voice fears over crime
LIMPOPO – The Thohoyandou police have launched a manhunt following the fatal stabbing of a 22-year-old man in the early hours of Saturday.
The incident occurred at around 04:00 near a tavern in Budeli, and the victim later died at Makwarela Clinic.
According to Vhembe SAPS spokesperson, Warrant Officer Vuledzani Dathi, the police were alerted by their commander about a stabbing victim who had been brought to Makwarela Clinic. On arrival, they were met by the clinic’s sister-in-charge, Melissa Kunu, who showed them the body of a young male with an open chest wound, lying on a stretcher.
The deceased was identified as Ikel Ntlemo (22) from Ha-Magidi, now known as Thohoyandou Unit E. His brother, Phanuel Maluleke, who was present at the clinic along with other family members, confirmed his identity.
A friend of the deceased told police that they had been at a tavern before heading home around 04:00. The group, consisting of five friends, was walking together when they were chased by four unknown men who also earlier visited the same tavern.
“The suspects managed to catch up with Ikel Ntlemo and stabbed him in the chest with a sharp object. He screamed and called out for help,” said Dathi. “His brother, Phanuel, ran back to assist him, and the rest of the group helped carry Ikel to the nearby clinic.”
Ntlemo was declared dead at 04:18 and his body has since been taken to the forensic department for a postmortem.
Police have opened a murder case, and no arrests have been made at this stage. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Rembuluwani Nekhavhambe, on 071 511 1213.
Meanwhile, community leader Tovhowani Seemise condemned the incident, expressing concern about the increasing levels of crime in and around Makwarela.
“We continue patrolling as a way of fighting crime,” she said. Seemise also raised concerns about the rise in undocumented foreign nationals in the area, who are often accused of involvement in crimes such as theft and housebreak-ins. Police investigations are ongoing.
