Family murder horror
Sharon Mathala | Wednesday May 7, 2014 11:07
MOLEPOLOLE: Four members of a family perished in Ratsheru Lands, about 20kms from Molepolole in a horror attack blamed on a relative. Aobakwe Lehuru has been arrested and arraigned in court for axing and burning to death four of his relatives on Sunday night. The horror attack left two others hospitalised with serious burns.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Kevin Mookodi told Mmegi that the 22 year-old is suspected to have killed his 59 year-old grandmother and another elderly man with an axe at Ratsheru Lands.
The suspect is alleged to have then set a hut on fire killing his aunt and a nine year-old niece. Two other relatives injured in the fire, a six year-old girl and an eight year-old boy are admitted at Scottish Livingston Hospital.
While police were mum on the motive, Mmegi is informed that the murders could have been triggered by a family dispute.
Wearing a worn-out black jacket, Lehuru appeared before Molepolole Magistrate William Modise yesterday and was remanded in custody until May 20 when he will appear for mention. He is facing 10 charges ranging from murder, attempted murder and arson.
The magistrate denied him bail and said violence is not the only option when one is unhappy about a situation. “You cannot say that when you are not happy about something, violence is your only option to the extent of committing such cruelty; taking people’s lives, worse still your own family’s lives,” said Modise.
He advised prison officials to offer the 22 year-old counselling. The magistrate also called for counselling for the surviving victims. Lehuru is remanded at Molepolole Prison.