“HE DIED like a dog.”
These were the words of angry family members of Josias Phuthi, who was found dead at his gate in the early hours of the morning of Sunday, 4 September.
The body of the 45-year-old from Mashamplane Village in Klipgat, North West, was found kneeling at the gate with his head covered in mud.
The family suspects Josias’ friend. According to the family, when they arrived at the scene where Josias was found dead, residents told them the two friends were fighting over R20 during the day.
Family friend Sello Sekati (45) said he was with Josias and the man the family suspects on Saturday.
“I gave them a ride after we attended a funeral in the morning,” he said.
“We suspect the friend because when the police went to his house, they found blood on his clothes.”
Josias’ sister Lerato (34) said it was painful to find her brother’s body.
“His arms were folded and he was kneeling like he was begging for his life. It was very traumatising and our mother had a panic attack,” she said.
Lerato said the family was shocked when the friend did not come to the scene. “We bumped into him on the road and he told me people were accusing him of killing my brother,” she said.
Lerato said she didn’t know what to believe, but they wanted the friend to be arrested. “Justice must be served.”
Lerato said her brother was a funny and bubbly person.
“We’ll always remember him for the jokes he liked cracking. He honestly didn’t deserve to die like this.”
Provincial police spokesman Captain Aafje Botma confirmed that a murder case was opened.
“The victim was found with wounds to the back of the head, which looked like stab wounds. A postmortem is being conducted. No arrests have been made yet,” he said.
