A Langa family is battling to come to terms with the murder of their son who was allegedly killed for a bottle of brandy.
According to reports, the 20-year-old Miso Mandla was stabbed and killed by a friend following an argument about the bottle. The shocking incident happened on Saturday 12 February at the LTA temporal houses.
He was allegedly stabbed in the back and head before being rushed to Vanguard Community Health Clinic in Bonteheuwel, where he died.
On Saturday 19 February, hundreds of people gathered at St Francis Hall in Langa to celebrate his life.
Mourners described his death as “unfortunate” and appealed for the law to take its course against the perpetrators.
Mandla’s cousin Noxolo Mntuwaphi said the family is heartbroken. She said they were expecting much from him. Two months ago he completed his passage to manhood, she added.
She said Mandla was stabbed by another ikrwala over a bottle of brandy. “He promised them (amakrwala) that he would give them a bottle of brandy,” said Mntuwaphi.
“On Saturday 5 February he gave them the bottle, but the other three who killed him were not there when they were drinking it. So when the other group met him in the evening on Saturday 12 February he (Mandla) was with his friends, and [allegedly] confronted him over the brandy, demanding it.
“Mandla told them he had given others that day, and then they [allegedly] stabbed him, in the back and in the head.”
Mntuwaphi said the culprits are known to the family.
“Miso was the only child for his mom. He went to the bush during December holidays. We were anticipating a lot from him.” She said the family won’t rest until the culprits are arrested.
The deceased’ s friend Thembelihle Xongo said he still cannot believe his friend is gone. “We knew each other well. We were not so close before we became men, but we started to get closer after we became men because we used to stay together as a group. I also know the culprits.”
He said the incident has tarnished the credibility of all the young men presently coming into their own.
Founder of Qula Kwedini Youth Initiative Sisa Nobanda described Mandla’s death as a disgrace to men at large. He said much needs to be done to educate young men.
Qula Kwedini is a youth organisation that aims to help young men deal with issues affecting their lives.
Nobanda blamed lack of guidance as one of the challenges these young men face.
“There is an element of gangsterism and lack of guidance from their families,” said Nobanda.
“It is everyone’s duty, particularly men’s, to talk to amakrwala and provide guidance about life in general.”
Langa Police Station spokesperson Capt Nondumiso Paul confirmed the incident. A 22-year-old man has since been arrested, she said, and a murder case opened.
Mandla will be buried on Saturday 26 February in Centane, Eastern Cape.