Blood ties broken as parricide epidemic hits Makobo
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Monday July 14, 2025 09:48
History repeated itself two weeks ago when another shocking case unfolded at the same village, when Mpiti primary school teacher Ruth Fana (54) was arraigned before court for the murder of her mother.
The accused daughter, Onalenna Fana (35), was named as an accomplice to the crime.
According to the charge sheet, Ruth and Onalenna are alleged to have murdered Elicar Fana in early June at Makobo.
Reports allege that Elicar was found by a neighbour on June 9 after noticing that goats were wandering around the deceased's yard.
Before her arrest, Ruth spoke to a local media outlet and suggested that her mother might have been murdered by illegal immigrants for money.
It was reported that Elicar had received a large sum of money from the land board as compensation for a piece of land that belonged to her.
Reports also allege that during the deceased's funeral, Ruth and Onalenna were crying uncontrollably, showing grief for their beloved mother and grandmother, respectively.
Two years ago, a man in his 60s, later identified as Peter Manyethelo, was found dead in a car just a few kilometres away from the Borolong bridge.
Investigations later led to the arraignment of the deceased's wife, 58-year-old Susan Manyethelo, who worked as a secretary at the Attorney General's Chambers.
During her arraignment, she was weeping uncontrollably, pleading for bail so that she could prepare for her husband's funeral.
The prosecutor, Goabaone Motlhagodi, at the time prayed for Susan not to be granted bail because he believed the accused had acted in concert with other people who were still at large.
Furthermore, Susan was living in the main house, while her husband was staying in a rondavel; when the police visited the crime scene, it was staged.
It appeared that the deceased had been murdered somewhere else and brought back to where they were found to cover up tracks.
Four years ago, a 49-year-old Dibebe Ngele, a barber by profession, was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment for murdering his mother over witchcraft claims.
The horrific incident left the nation in shock after he tied his mother, Thandiwe Mbulawa (63), to the back of his car and dragged her for about a kilometre before finishing her off with an axe.
Following the recurrence of parricides in the village, Mmegi spoke to village leaders regarding the matter. Shashe West Member of Parliament, Jerry Frenzel, said the recurrence of parricides remains shocking in the village.
He stated that the same children who take their parents' lives claim that the latter bewitched them, often after consulting with traditional doctors. Frenzel also believed that some traditional doctors are causing conflicts between families.
Additionally, Frenzel said there is no way a person who has birthed someone could also bewitch them, calling it 'total madness'. He revealed that they recently held a kgotla meeting to address the rising crime rate at Makobo.
Specially nominated councillor, Jerry Mmusi, stated the causes of the grievous incidents remain unknown and called for immediate intervention.
Mmusi further said that the majority of the horrifying incidents are linked to money or issues of inheritance.
He stated that due to the shocking murder incidents and the rise of crime in the village, they came up with an association comprised of men in the village.
'About 20 men in the village have chosen to patrol across the village at night,' he added. Mmusi stated the patrol ensures there is no movement in the village between 2am and 4am, which has proven to be a time when many crime incidents occur.
For her part, Makobo, Jamataka, and Natale (MAJANA) councillor, Leungo Thabana, said that crime in Makobo has risen over the past years.
She stated that they recently met as village leaders and the community to map out a way to fight against crime in the village.
She indicated that there has been speculation that crime is mostly committed by illegal immigrants, but time and again, it has been proven that villagers are the ones who murder and steal from their own. Thabana stated that they will continuously engage the community to fight against crime.