SHARPEVILLE. – It was sorrow and tears when the residents of Tshepiso Phase 1 laid to rest their loved one over the weekend.
Lehlohonolo ‘Chicken’ Rabotapi was a well-liked local footballer who was apparently stabbed to death by a ‘home boy’ in a fight over one rand (R1). This is still a mystery.
Rabotapi died at Kopanong Hospital last Saturday where doctors had no solutions for the father and family of the deceased. Rabotapi’s death puzzled many and is still a mystery to those who knew him and loved him as a footballer and resident.
Lehlohonolo ‘Chicken’ Rabotapi (26) of Tshepiso Location Phase 1 was buried at Jacobskop Cemetery over the weekend. A friend of Rabotapi told Sedibeng Ster at the graveyard that ‘Chicken’ was crossing near a gambling place when the suspect approached him:
“A dispute followed that was duly broken up.” He then reported that Chicken passed by the gambling place again and was attacked by the very same person with a knife: “He stabbed him once in the chest and he fell to the ground, lying there until the ambulance and Police were summoned to the scene.”
Rabotapi’s father was alerted to the incident and was told his son was still alive. “I found my son still alive but unconscious waiting for the ambulance. Upon seeing him and his condition, I changed my mind and called a private car to take him to hospital but it was little too late. He died in my presence,” says the distraught father. It is said that the suspect fled the scene and went to hide at his girlfriend’s place but was later arrested.
Police confirm that a case of murder is being investigated and that the suspect will soon appear in the Vereeniging Magistrates Court.
