A heated argument over a pot of cabbage meant for family dinner took a violent turn at Ramonaka village in the Kgatleng District, leaving one sibling hospitalised and the other in police custody.
According to reports, the dispute began when an 18-year-old boy helped himself to the cabbage that his sister was cooking.
This angered the sister (28), who questioned why he was eating directly from the pot, reminding him that the meal was intended for the entire family.
Unbothered, the brother allegedly dismissed her concerns with a rude remark, saying, “Aee, fokof!”
Enraged by his response, the sister allegedly grabbed a digging bar made of reinforced steel and struck him on the head.
Despite their mother’s frantic attempts to intervene, the fight escalated.
Not satisfied with merely hitting her brother, the sister reportedly drove the sharp end of the metal bar through his neck, causing blood to gush out.
Terrified neighbours, alarmed by the sight of so much blood, immediately called the police.
“When we arrived, we found both siblings at home. The metal had been removed from the boy’s neck, and we rushed him to Deborah Retief Memorial (DRM) Hospital,” Mmathubudikwane Police
Station commander, Superintendent Mmoloki Mogale, confirmed.
Fortunately, the teenager’s condition stabilised, and he has since been discharged from the hospital.
Meanwhile, his sister spent the weekend in police custody as authorities continued investigations.
Mogale stated that once the victim’s health is fully assessed, the matter will proceed to court.
“The stab wound was nearly fatal—she could have killed him,” he said, expressing concern over the growing trend of violent domestic disputes.
He added that petty fights are alarmingly common in the area.
“Families argue over the smallest issues, from bathing soap to where someone sits, or even over perceived disrespect. Unfortunately, these conflicts often result in serious injuries,” Mogale said.
In the current case, he suspects that the sister acted out of pent-up frustration.
“She was clearly angry. This likely was not a one-time incident—perhaps her brother had been disrespecting her for a long time, and emotions overwhelmed her,” he speculated.
Mogale pointed out that living arrangements in many households contribute to such tensions.
“Many families live under one roof long after the children are grown. Parents, adult children, and siblings all share a space where multiple opinions and authority figures clash, creating a breeding ground for conflict,” he explained.
He urged families to seek peaceful conflict resolution methods to avoid violence over trivial matters.
According to reports, the dispute began when an 18-year-old boy helped himself to the cabbage that his sister was cooking.
This angered the sister (28), who questioned why he was eating directly from the pot, reminding him that the meal was intended for the entire family.
Unbothered, the brother allegedly dismissed her concerns with a rude remark, saying, “Aee, fokof!”
Enraged by his response, the sister allegedly grabbed a digging bar made of reinforced steel and struck him on the head.
Despite their mother’s frantic attempts to intervene, the fight escalated.
Not satisfied with merely hitting her brother, the sister reportedly drove the sharp end of the metal bar through his neck, causing blood to gush out.
Terrified neighbours, alarmed by the sight of so much blood, immediately called the police.
“When we arrived, we found both siblings at home. The metal had been removed from the boy’s neck, and we rushed him to Deborah Retief Memorial (DRM) Hospital,” Mmathubudikwane Police
Station commander, Superintendent Mmoloki Mogale, confirmed.
Fortunately, the teenager’s condition stabilised, and he has since been discharged from the hospital.
Meanwhile, his sister spent the weekend in police custody as authorities continued investigations.
Mogale stated that once the victim’s health is fully assessed, the matter will proceed to court.
“The stab wound was nearly fatal—she could have killed him,” he said, expressing concern over the growing trend of violent domestic disputes.
He added that petty fights are alarmingly common in the area.
“Families argue over the smallest issues, from bathing soap to where someone sits, or even over perceived disrespect. Unfortunately, these conflicts often result in serious injuries,” Mogale said.
In the current case, he suspects that the sister acted out of pent-up frustration.
“She was clearly angry. This likely was not a one-time incident—perhaps her brother had been disrespecting her for a long time, and emotions overwhelmed her,” he speculated.
Mogale pointed out that living arrangements in many households contribute to such tensions.
“Many families live under one roof long after the children are grown. Parents, adult children, and siblings all share a space where multiple opinions and authority figures clash, creating a breeding ground for conflict,” he explained.
He urged families to seek peaceful conflict resolution methods to avoid violence over trivial matters.
