An evening of drinking in a Limpopo village concluded with a violent murder, resulting in a 29-year-old man receiving a 15-year prison sentence after his drinking partner was found stripped, injured, and lifeless on the street.
Potego William Tolo, a resident of Ga Rakgwatha village, was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 15 years’ direct imprisonment by the Mokopane Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 28 August 2026.
Additionally, the court deemed Tolo unfit to hold a firearm, in accordance with section 103 of the Firearms Control Act.
The fatal incident occurred in the early hours of 11 August 2025 in Ga Rakgwatha, which falls under the Moletlane policing area in Lepele Nkumpi.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that Tolo had been drinking at a local tavern with 34-year-old ButiButi Mapencil Lekgeu on that fateful night.
The situation escalated from a social gathering to a deadly confrontation.
The court established that Tolo attacked Lekgeu with an iron object while he was on the ground.
Tolo reportedly stripped Lekgeu of his clothing and left him exposed in the street.
Community members later found the victim naked, bleeding, and critically injured.
He was taken to Ga Rakgwatha Clinic, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Family members subsequently identified his remains.
In response to the incident, the Moletlane SAPS initiated a murder investigation.
Constable Billy Morepye Nchabeleng from the station’s detective unit led the effort to apprehend the suspect.
Tolo was eventually located in Ga Rakgwatha village and taken into custody on 5 November 2025.
Initially, he was granted R1,000 bail and appeared in the Magatle Magistrate’s Court.
The case was later moved to the Mokopane Magistrate’s Court, leading to a trial.
Ultimately, the court convicted Tolo of murder and sentenced him to 15 years’ direct imprisonment.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers expressed support for the conviction and the sentence handed down.
This outcome concludes a legal process that began following the discovery of Lekgeu’s body in the street in August 2025.
The case underscores the commitment of investigators in locating the suspect and assembling a case that led to a significant prison term.
For Lekgeu’s family and the community of Ga Rakgwatha, the court’s ruling marks the closing of a chapter that began with a night of revelry and ended tragically.
