A 39-year-old man from Phokeng Ward in Machaneng has been arraigned before the Mahalapye Magistrate Court on a single count of murder following the death of his 55-year-old uncle.
Police say the incident surfaced on February 22, 2026, after the deceased’s elder brother received a distress call from his wife, who was at the deceased’s house in Mosikari. She reportedly informed him that there was a problem.
Upon arrival, the brother was told that the deceased was inside the house, appearing to be asleep but motionless. He entered the house and found him unresponsive. The deceased was rushed to Sefhare Primary Hospital, where he was certified dead on arrival.
A post mortem examination later revealed that the deceased had sustained broken ribs. Investigations led to the arrest of the deceased’s nephew, a 39-year-old man of Phokeng Ward, Machaneng.
Police allege that the suspect and the deceased were involved in a physical altercation on February 21, 2026, at their family home in Phokeng Ward.
During the fight, the suspect allegedly struck the deceased on the chest with a broomstick. The incident was not reported to authorities at the time and only came to light after the death was reported the following day.
The suspect reportedly went to the police station to report the matter himself after learning that his uncle had been found motionless. He subsequently handed himself over to the police.
Superintendent Tsholofelo Masole of Machaneng said investigations are ongoing, but there is “no concrete evidence” that points to the accused as of now, but he is being held in custody.
Sources indicated that during investigations, officers engaged family members who initially cautioned police against relying on the suspect’s statements, claiming he is mentally unstable.
However, the family later confirmed that a fight had indeed taken place and that one person had died.
Police say the incident surfaced on February 22, 2026, after the deceased’s elder brother received a distress call from his wife, who was at the deceased’s house in Mosikari. She reportedly informed him that there was a problem.
Upon arrival, the brother was told that the deceased was inside the house, appearing to be asleep but motionless. He entered the house and found him unresponsive. The deceased was rushed to Sefhare Primary Hospital, where he was certified dead on arrival.
A post mortem examination later revealed that the deceased had sustained broken ribs. Investigations led to the arrest of the deceased’s nephew, a 39-year-old man of Phokeng Ward, Machaneng.
Police allege that the suspect and the deceased were involved in a physical altercation on February 21, 2026, at their family home in Phokeng Ward.
During the fight, the suspect allegedly struck the deceased on the chest with a broomstick. The incident was not reported to authorities at the time and only came to light after the death was reported the following day.
The suspect reportedly went to the police station to report the matter himself after learning that his uncle had been found motionless. He subsequently handed himself over to the police.
Superintendent Tsholofelo Masole of Machaneng said investigations are ongoing, but there is “no concrete evidence” that points to the accused as of now, but he is being held in custody.
Sources indicated that during investigations, officers engaged family members who initially cautioned police against relying on the suspect’s statements, claiming he is mentally unstable.
However, the family later confirmed that a fight had indeed taken place and that one person had died.
