KEY POINTS
- Two men were sentenced to prison for the 2020 murder of a 21-year-old man outside a Marapong tavern, with one receiving 15 years for murder and the other three years for assault.
- The victim’s father narrowly escaped harm when the accused allegedly attempted to run him over with a vehicle after the initial attack.
- The verdict has sparked community discussions about violence prevention and the need for stronger social programs to address crime in rural areas.
Justice has finally been served in Marapong as the Lephalale Regional Court handed down lengthy prison sentences to two men responsible for the tragic murder of a 21-year-old man who was viciously attacked outside a tavern in Marapong, Limpopo.
The verdict, delivered on February 10, 2025, marks the culmination of a four-year legal battle that has left the community grappling with the senseless violence that claimed a young life.
The attack occurred on the night of November 5, 2020, when the two accused, Monene Lucky Matlhatse and Majadibodu Ramadubu John, viciously stabbed the victim with a broken bottle in a tavern, causing severe injuries.
“The victim ran to his father’s house located near the scene of the crime but unfortunately when he arrived, he fell down next to the main door of the house and succumbed to his injuries,” said police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba. The young man’s death sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community, highlighting the escalating issue of alcohol-fueled violence in the area.
The violence did not end there. When the victim’s father heard commotion in the streets and stepped outside to check, he saw the two accused speeding towards him in their vehicle, allegedly trying to run him over. Fortunately, he managed to evade them, and the suspects fled the scene.
This brazen attempt to harm the victim’s family further underscored the brutality of the crime and the danger posed by the perpetrators.
Bail Decision Sparks Outrage as Community Awaits JusticeÂ
A swift police investigation, led by Sergeant Ndwamato Mambo of the Lephalale Detective Unit, resulted in the immediate arrest of the accused later that same night. However, on December 20, 2020, both men were granted bail of R5000 each while awaiting trial, a decision that sparked outrage among community members who feared for their safety. The case dragged on for years, with delays exacerbated by legal procedures and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the judicial system.
On February 10, 2025, the court delivered its verdict. Monene Lucky Matlhatse was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for murder and an additional three years for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), with both sentences running concurrently. Majadibodu Ramadubu John was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for assault GBH. The sentences were met with mixed reactions, with some community members expressing relief while others felt the punishment did not fully reflect the gravity of the crime.
Welcoming the court’s decision, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, commended the investigative team and everyone involved in securing justice for the victims. “We appreciate the efforts displayed by the investigating officer and everyone who participated in the case until the court sentenced the perpetrators,” said Hadebe. She also urged communities to work closely with law enforcement to combat crime and ensure safer neighborhoods.
The case has reignited discussions about the prevalence of violent crime in South Africa, particularly in rural areas where resources for policing and community support are often limited. Local leaders have called for increased investment in social programs and youth development to address the root causes of such violence. “We cannot continue to lose young lives to senseless acts of brutality. It is time for us to come together as a community and find lasting solutions,” said a Marapong community leader.
