Man (64) brutally murdered for “Gusheshe”

VANDERBIJLPARK.- The CW4, Vanderbijlpark community is shocked by the brutal murder of Maserothane Lucas Phala (64). Phala was murdered in his house by unknown armed men in the early hours of Saturday. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Matubatse Phoho, who is the sister to the deceased said apparently two men used keys to enter the house while the family was fast asleep. It is not clear where the suspects took the keys from. Poho said her brother was brutally stabbed with a knife after he refused to give the suspects the keys of his BMW 325is, commonly known as “Gusheshe” in township lingo. Poho told Sedibeng Ster that the suspects tied up both Phala and his wife in the main bedroom and told them not to scream as the kids were sleeping in the other bedrooms. “There were other cars parked outside the yard but the suspects specifically demanded the keys of the BMW that was in the garage. My brother was not supposed to die in that manner in front of his family, especially his wife. They used a knife on his neck to kill him. This was despite the fact that he was hopeless because they had tied him. When I arrived there was blood all over the bed. Everyone needs counselling because his wife and children are still in a state of shock. I have never experienced something like this in my life,” she told Sedibeng Ster. The suspects fled the scene with a laptop, TV and cellphones. It is not known what mode of transport they used to flee, but they did not have a chance to take the “Gusheshe” as Phala insistently refused to give them the keys. Meanwhile, The CW4 community immediately called an urgent meeting on Sunday afternoon following the incident and they have since put security measures in place in the area. The police in Vanderbijlpark are also on a hunt for the two suspects. Police Spokesperson, Sergeant Gertrude Makhale said, “At this stage the police are asking for assistance from the community in order to get to the bottom of this gruesome murder. Anyone who has seen anything suspicious or has information about this incident is urged to come forward.” Members of the community can contact the Investigating Officer, Detective Warrant Officer Chippa Motaung on 073 338 1549. Phala leaves behind his wife and four children. He will be buried in Ha-Sekhukhuni in Limpopo on Saturday. At the time of his death Phala was working at Arcellor-Mittal.