The grief-stricken Qhali family of Bloemfontein is seeking answers through the criminal justice system on the murder of Thabo John Qhali (40).
Details about his murder are still vague. Qhali’s body was discovered in the crime-ridden suburb of Willows, Bloemfontein, at 04:00 on 27 February.
According to Priscilla, Qhali’s mother, he was at a relative’s funeral the previous day. During communication after the funeral, on the night of 26 February, a relative promised to drop Qhali off at his home in Rocklands at about 21:00.
Thereafter she did not hear from Qhali again.
“Instead, the following morning I received the devastating news of Thabo’s murder from the police during my search at the Kagisanong Police Station in Rocklands,” she says.
What is more, no explanation has been forthcoming from the relative who had promised to drop him off, or the three acquaintances who apparently accompanied them.
“Little did we know the morning he left home, going to the funeral, that we were seeing him for the last time, and communication via WhatsApp would be the very last.”
Qhali’s body was reportedly found in Ella Street, home to a range of business enterprises and nightclubs, notorious for loud music and people binge drinking into the early morning.
“What is certain is that Thabo never frequented Willows for any enjoyment, and he did not have any cash that day,” says Qhali’s sister, Lerato Moselo.
The Parkweg police are investigating the case. Col Thabo Covane, spokesperson for the police in Mangaung, said investigation was underway, “to tighten some loose ends of the victim’s murder”.
He said this included interrogation. Preliminary investigation has led to the arrest of eight suspects. They have been released on condition they reappear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on 25 April, having briefly appeared on 11 March. Details are sub judice.
Qhali’s mother said they awaited postmortem results.
