“Resort Owner Stabbed to Death Over Hubbly Bubbly Dispute: Suspects Granted Bail”

by Hope Ngobeni

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Three men accused of fatally stabbing a resort owner during a heated dispute over smoking on the property have been granted bail following their appearance in the Orkney Magistrate’s Court. Hanyane Ronauld Mei, 47, Danile Nxamakele, 35, and Pitso Radebe, 47, face charges of murder after allegedly attacking Mark Hanscombe on December 16, 2024, during an altercation that escalated over the use of a hubbly bubbly, a traditional smoking device.

According to Sivenathi Gunya, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the trio had been smoking on the resort’s premises, which violated the establishment’s rules. When staff members were unable to resolve the issue, Hanscombe, the resort owner, was called to intervene. It was during this confrontation that the three men allegedly turned violent, assaulting Hanscombe before stabbing him multiple times. Hanscombe was quickly rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment but later succumbed to his injuries.

At their bail hearing, the court granted Mei and Radebe bail of R1,500 each, while Nxamakele’s bail was set at R1,000. Along with their bail, the accused have been given strict conditions. They are required to report daily to the Jouberton police station between 6 am and 9 am and are prohibited from interfering with the witnesses or the complainant in the case until it is resolved. The case has been postponed to February 24, 2025, to allow for further investigation.

The incident has drawn attention to the potential dangers of conflicts escalating over seemingly minor disputes and the tragic consequences that can arise when violence replaces dialogue. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Hanscombe’s death, and the community remains in shock over the brutal attack on a local business owner.

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