By OBAKENG MAJE
The family of Ntombi in Manokwane village near Taung wants justice after the death of their loved one. Thataone Ntombi (26) was allegedly killed by three men at Nhole village in Taung on Saturday night during a confrontation.
According to Thataone’s mother, Mogomotsi Ntombi, a fight ensued between Thataone’s uncle and the suspects. Ntombi said Thataone tried to mediate but he was allegedly attacked instead.
“I received a call on Sunday at around 6pm informing me that my son is missing. I searched for him at Taung District Hospital and various mortuaries around with no success. I also went to Nhole village where he was residing.
“On my arrival, I met with his grandmother and went to confront those individuals who are suspected to know something about his disappearance. We confronted one of the suspects and he was too arrogant to us,” she said.
Ntombi further said one of the suspects confessed that he allegedly hit Thataone with a spade on his head. She said she decided to go to Taung Police Station and open a missing person’s case.
“When I arrived at the police station, the police requested me to go and fetch an identification document (ID). I went back to fetch the ID and went back to the police station.
“The police wrote a statement and went to the suspects. But on our way, one of the police officers received a call informing him about a lifeless body of a person floating in the river near Manokwane village,” Ntombi said.
She added that the police decided that they would go to the scene and check if the deceased was not Thataone. Ntombi said indeed the lifeless body was positively identified as Thataone.
“Then police said they will open a murder case and erase a missing person case,” she said.
However, Bontsheng Mampane, who is also a family member said: “I am not happy with how the police are handling this matter. There is shrewd evidence that Thataone was killed. His lifeless body was still bleeding from injuries.
“So, we urge the police to go and arrest these suspects before they flee. It cannot just be normal while we lost a loved one through immoral deeds. We call for justice and the police must do their work properly.”
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma said: “I can confirm a murder case is being investigated. A person that was reported missing was found at a river in Manokwane village.
“The rescue team retrieved his lifeless body that was floating in the river. The deceased was identified as Thataone Ntombi and his body had a wound on the back of his head and a broken leg.”
The Guardian 