65-year-old Ficksburg man brutally murdered in his house, eyes stabbed and stolen at crime scene (VIDEOS)

The family of 65-year-old Motsamai Malinga is reeling in disbelief and grief after the pensioner was discovered brutally murdered in his home in Katlehong kasi, Meqheleng, in Ficksburg, in the Free State. The gruesome discovery, made on Saturday, 28 June, has left the community in shock and sparked a call for the swift arrest of those responsible.

The horrifying scene was uncovered by a neighbour who, noticing Malinga’s door ajar, initially thought the madala might have been intoxicated. Instead, they found Motsamai Malinga lying on his back in a pool of blood, both his eyes missing, and a gaping wound on the right side of his neck.

Thabang Maleka, the nephew of the deceased and family spokesman, expressed the family's profound distress. "My uncle was a pensioner, and we believe he had no enemies. We're shocked and terrified by his gruesome death. We urge cops to intensify their investigation and swiftly apprehend those heartless suspects," he said.

Maleka emphasised the senselessness of the crime, stating, "He didn't deserve such a horrific death. We're refraining from speculation and will await the outcome of the police investigation. But the big question is, what is it that he did to be subjected to such brutality?"

The brutal murder has left neighbours in a state of fear and disbelief, particularly those who had seen Motsamai Malinga sitting outside his house just a day before his death.

Gogo Tressia Tsheole, a long-time acquaintance of the deceased, shared her shock and devastation. "My son, who came from the local tavern, made the gruesome discovery. We now live in fear. Madala was a kind neighbour. He was a brother to us. We shared everything with him. He once told us that someone had threatened him with death, but he didn't reveal the name," she revealed.

Gogo Tressia Tsheole, a neighbor of Madala Motsamai Malinga, said he once told her someone allegedly threatened to kill him. Video by Joseph Mokoaledi pic.twitter.com/HO3x0rRQIx

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Another neighbour, Matshupane Jomane, described Malinga's murder as a shocking tragedy that has left the entire township stunned. "We're in the dark about what happened. We demand justice for our neighbour. We want to know who killed him and why. Fear has gripped our community. Those responsible should face the full might of the law," he demanded.

In the wake of the tragedy, local Ward Councillor Lesole Thamae has attributed the murder to witchcraft, calling on local pastors to organise a prayer service to combat what he perceives as evil spirits at play in the community.

Police spokesman Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli confirmed that a case of murder has been opened at the Ficksburg cop shop. "The deceased was found lying on his back and had been stabbed in both eyes and sustained an open wound on the right side of his neck. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel were called to the scene and certified him deceased," he stated.

Sergeant Kareli added, "The motive for the murder is currently unknown, and no arrests made yet. We are appealing to anyone with information that could assist in the investigation to contact their nearest cop shop."

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