Police investigations are underway for the murder of previous Golden Lions Sevens and Pirates rugby player Thulani Popoyi who was found dead on 5 October at the Dollar Table in Melville.
Ward Councilor Amanda Forsythe confirmed that Popoyi had been found brutally murdered. He had multiple stab wounds and his chest had been hacked open.
The 29-year-old was out with his friends and disappeared after a while.
Forsythe informed that Popoyi was well-loved in the community.
“It was clearly murder because the attacker did not take anything from him – he still had his belongings on him,” she said.
“Thulani had been stabbed and there was no blood where he was found, however, one of the car guards looked inside the club and discovered a trail of blood as if someone had tried to clean it up.
“I have been trying to shut this place [Dollar Table] down since last year, because it was operating without a valid licence,”informed Forsythe.
Colin Law, Popoyi’s friend and guardian, was still in shock,
“We don’t know how it happened, But my biggest concern is that a young man lost his life. The place was operating illegally,” he said.
Brixton Police managed to arrest the club owner for not attending to the scene immediately.
The landlord should also be held liable. he has knowingly been allowing Dollar Table to operate on his premises despite it on numerous occasions being brought to his attention that Dollar Table is illegal.
How many other places in 7th don’t have the correct licences.? Does light house have a liquor licence? Time all shops status’ be investigated. Another example is Poppys who has dancing there on Fridays to Sundays with no entertainment licence.
May you rest in peace…..
Rest in peace Toolz, you will be missed and never forgotten!
Thuls was a true friend with a heart of gold and will be missed by all who knew him. May his family find peace in these difficult times. I hope that justice is served and the people responsible are found and punished
My brother , taken way too soon…………
You Maybe be gone ,
BUT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!!!
I just pray they get the #%*+¥£€ ! That’s did this !!!
Not what you deserved. Your future was so bright. Rest I n peace. Hope they catch the criminals lock them up and the people who allowed this place to knowingly be illegally open for so long.
My heart is very heavy and sad – my condolences to the family and his close friends. I will remember him as my son’s childhood friend – lovely, sweet guy. Thulani, I send you a butterfly of remembrance from me to you – I will always remember you and Martin as the naughty, happy, laughing little guys you were. May Jesus’ have a blanket of comfort and light and love hugging you close.
Such terrible news. My heart breaks for Thulani’s family. I feel blessed to have known him.
Hendel! We will miss you! True legend, on and off the rugby field! xxx
MY man you will always be a CHAMP no matter what you will always be loved and never forgotten LOVE YOU TOOLZ
MY man you will always be a CHAMP no matter what you will always be loved and never forgotten LOVE YOU TONS TOOLZ
You will always be remembered my friend, I have no words,I feel so empty, been shaking since morning, my condolences to the family this is a very difficult time for all of us. RIP soldier.
Landlords must be severely punished financially for allowing illegal business to operate from their premises and people must not support illegal haunts. Irrespective of the legality no person should have to lose their life over an incident in a club or any other place. Zero tolerance on weapons and drugs in clubs.
For months now I have been doing the best I can to have the authorities take notice of the illegal activities happening at this establishment. Overtly loud music, drunken brawls, people screaming and shouting and drag racing up and down 7th Street. This goes on until way after 2am in the morning. All of my efforts have fallen on deaf ears.
Now someone is dead. When will the apathy stop. I am heartbroken that a life has been lost. My heart goes out to Thulani’s loved ones.. this should not have happened.
R.I.P my ninja. Peace be with the fam. Its not fair that you go so soon especially after you just lost your brother. Go Bless your seed and lady. You will always be remembered.
Known you since grade 5, always friendly and positive about life, will miss you man and may the family find peace in that you led a great life touching all those who knew you, RIP my friend.
I am still reeling with shock!!! I cant believe you’re gone….Me, Eve and Naomi will miss you sorely :( Rest in peace my friend,School mate and brother…May your family find peace and the perpetrators punished!
Had the pleasure of chilling with Thulz on a couple of occasions, from the first day we met, you treated me like we had known each other for years already, still in disbelieve and shock, I will not remember you by how you left us , but for the friendly and free spirited person. Rest In Paradise Thulz, you have lived a life and touched many other’s!
His hear and some body parts have been taken,a young girl was murdered last week or so by the same man and her body parts taken. It disgusts me to think i have sat and had conversations with this animal! May you rest in piece Thulani
R.I.P Thulani Thulz Robert King Bukha Two Shoe Hendel Popoyi,may your peaceful soul rest in peace. I will miss you my man. You never deserved to die like this. I am still in a shocking mode and I still can’t accept that i will never ever see you again. Its like a dream to me and right now I am lost of words, I am trying to be strong but I am failing. I pray to God that this guys must be given a death penalty. “Never below,never above,always side by side”. “We ride together and we die together…bad boys for life.
WILL MISS U MAN
This is so sad, what makes people so evil. R.I.P. Thulani. Condolences to his family and friends. God Bless you all, God Bless our country.
R.I.P. Thulani, Please Lord rid our country from all these EVIL PEOPLE. Condolences to his family and friends. God Bless you all, God Bless South Africa.
The Memorial service for our Son, Brother, Father, Colleague and Team player Thulane Popoyi (Robert Hendel) will held
at St. Columba’s Church 45 Lurgan Road, Parkview Johannesburg on Tuesday, 14th October at 2pm. followed by a burial at West Park Beyers Naude directly afterwards. Please, no flowers, rather lets make a donation to any organisation fighting crime in our country.
Sorry to here about his death it was an onner to have playd agains him and would have liked to play with him i chilled with him once and he was a joyfull person loved poeple and making friend and to the club owner if u think it will be left here u hve a nother thing coming bra u will get whats coming to u may his soul rest in peace and yours will rest in peacesses