Nothando Makhubela
Wherever you saw Thokozani Nkalanga, his friend Regional Mkhatshwa would always be by his side.
The two, who were neighbours and close friends, liked watching soccer together and drinking beer at local taverns.
But the unemployed men from Boschfontein, Mpumalanga’s Nkomazi Subregion were on their way back from a tavern when a fight broke out between them a few metres from their homes on Monday.
The fight continued until they got to Thokozani’s house where both men armed themselves with axes.
It was really a fight to the end as both men died in the early hours of Tuesday morning at Shongwe hospital.
Family members said Thokozani allegedly accused Regional of stealing from a foreign owned shop in their neighbourhood and his friend didn’t like the accusations.
Tearful family representative who spoke to Scrolla.Africa on condition of anonymity said they got a call saying her brother Regional had an argument with his friend Thokozani at a tavern and they had left to go to Thokozani’s home.
“My brother was hit in the head with an axe by his friend after he accused him of stealing things from an Indian shop,” she explained.
Thokozani’s uncle Bhek’themba Nkangala saw the two men killing each other in his yard.
“They loved each other but they became violent people especially when they were drunk,” he said.
“We are unhappy because all the neighbours treated each other like relatives. There will now be conflict between us.”
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said Schoemansdal police received a call from the local hospital to say that two males, one with bruises on his face, fractured jaw and hand, and the other hacked on the head with an axe, had succumbed to their injuries.
“When the police arrived, it was discovered that the victims were neighbours and friends from Boschfontein,” Mohlala said.
Both Thokozani and Regional will be laid to rest on Saturday.
