KEY POINTS
- Detectives discovered Morudi Frank Phetla dead following his abduction and his killers left him in his state of brutal condition.
- The third son among his children suffered a fainting episode when he received word about the tragic fate and needed hospitalization.
- The family seeks justice from the police during their investigation of kidnapping and murder.
The relatives of 64-year-old nurse Morudi Frank Phetla mourn his passing which occurred under tragic circumstances.
On March 16 Phetla disappeared through kidnapping before his dead body displayed head injuries under the Mabintana Bridge in Jane Furse on Tuesday.
His third-born son became hospitalized because he passed out when he learned about his father’s fatal demise.
The whole family comprising of Phetla’s wife along with his four sons experiences great sorrow because of his passing.
Family grieves a peaceful man
Joseph Phetla recalled his late brother as a person who always sought peace because he refused to engage in fights. Joseph explained how the news of his brother’s passing caused the third sibling to faint after which hospital staff took him to Jane Furse Hospital.
Joseph emphasized that his father’s death devastated his entire family all while indicating his poor reaction to this tragic event.
The circumstances surrounding Phetla’s death
Placing suspicion on Phetla the Limpopo police found his car stopped beside his residence with turned-on headlights while he remained absent. A farmworker identified Phetla during his search at 6:30 AM on Monday beneath the Mabintana Bridge.
The residents of the community discovered a social media notification reporting a body found under the bridge. They guided the family members to the site which allowed them to identify Phetla as the deceased individual.
Officials from the police and forensic pathologists reached the scene after which they transported the body to St Ritas Hospital for identification purposes.
The family reacted with shock together with grief to learn about the brutal murder which occurred as Phetla was about to retire in December. Our entire family suffers from severe pain since our brother experienced what happened.
He and his family members demand an answer about the brutal act that someone performed against Phetla. Family grieves but strives to obtain justice and seeks identification of the criminals responsible.
Police investigation underway
Authorization exists to investigate both kidnapping and murder by Limpopo police forces. Investigators have not established the reason behind Phetla’s murder.
People who possess information about the suspects must contact Detective Sergeant Vusimuzi Mohlala or Crime Stop.
Phetla’s family will conduct his final ceremony through burial on Saturday March 29.
