Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of 26-year-old Lesego Klaas Makaku, whose tragic death has shocked the community of Hartbeespoortdam in North West. The incident, which began with an accusation of cellphone theft at a tavern, escalated into a brutal attack that ended in the victimβs death.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane, a spokesperson for the provincial police, the crime unfolded on the evening of December 31, 2024. Makaku had been visiting his girlfriend when they both went to a nearby tavern at Sangiro informal settlement. While at the tavern, Makaku was accused of stealing a cellphone, an allegation that sparked a violent response. He was forcibly dragged out of the tavern, severely beaten by a group of people, and allegedly thrown into a nearby dam. The only item found near the water was Makakuβs T-shirt, which was reportedly taken by his girlfriend and later shared with his mother.
Concerned for her sonβs well-being, Makakuβs mother reported him missing, prompting the police to open an investigation. Despite initial efforts, police divers were unable to locate Makakuβs body in the dam. However, the investigation continued, with officers questioning individuals who had been in the area when Makaku was last seen. On January 2, 2025, two people of interest were brought in for questioning.
During interrogation, one of the suspects led investigators to a secluded area near Sangiro, where they discovered Makakuβs half-naked body in the early stages of decomposition. Following the grim discovery, police searched the homes of three additional suspects and arrested them. One individual, however, remains at large. The five men, aged between 19 and 40, are facing charges of kidnapping and murder and are set to appear in court on Monday, January 8, 2025.
The murder of Makaku has drawn condemnation from local authorities, with Major General Patrick Asaneng, the acting provincial commissioner of police, describing the crime as βbarbaric.β Asaneng called for greater vigilance from tavern owners and patrons, urging them to work with law enforcement to prevent crime in public spaces. He expressed concern over the growing trend of crime in taverns and licensed liquor establishments, which have increasingly become hotspots for violence, robbery, assaults, and even murder.
βIt is totally unacceptable and intolerable that these places are instead turning into crime generators where disregard for the rule of law is the norm,β said Asaneng. He noted that many serious crimes, including murders, assaults, and even drunken driving, are committed in full view of tavern owners and other patrons, who often fail to intervene or report these crimes to the authorities.
Asanengβs comments were echoed by calls for community action. He appealed to Community Policing Forums, religious leaders, and community members to take a stand against the rising tide of criminality, urging them to work together to restore safety and security to their neighborhoods.
The brutal murder of Lesego Klaas Makaku has left the community shaken and serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can arise from unchecked violence. As the investigation continues and the legal process unfolds, local authorities are committed to bringing justice to Makakuβs family and ensuring that such acts of violence do not go unpunished.