Whole village mourns as Brother kills Brother
Siblings feuding ends tragically in Ramotswa
Villagers unite in pouring undying love for deceased Malau
To those not so closely-related to him until his untimely death on Saturday, Thatayaone Malau Ngwako of Ramotswa was more of a pest that persistently nagged until it gained recognition.
Yet Malau, as he was affectionately known in the village, was equally adored and appreciated by both his inner and outer circles alike. He was unique in his own way, a bit irritating at times and a bully, but he could not harm even a fly.
He was a bully in the sense that he never begged for attention but simply forced it on everybody, including on strangers. This was the kind of a man who would find people doing some shopping inside a store, and without even seeking approval, would just voluntarily pick and carry their shopping bags to their cars. However, there was always a catch - after successfully loading the shopping items into a vehicle, he would with a straight face demand payment for his services. It was usually just “Mphe Five Pula foo!”
Should one refuse to pay, Malau was always quick to throw shade: “O ka kgweetsa Benz o sena P5?” If he wanted to spoil your day, he would even let the whole world around you know of your “poverty” despite driving an expensive car. Such were the taunts he would hurl while walking away. If one somehow succeeded in blocking him from picking up their plastic bags or pushing their shopping trolley, Malau would still demand: “Mphe Five Pula ee.”
Who on their right mind does that? Well this was Malau and he was not even ashamed of his overzealous stunts and approach to shoppers. Such was his day to day hustle, a way of putting bread on the table and he never went to bed hungry. Some often mistook this for harassment but they would later learn just how selfless, helpful and loving the 27-year old man was. The Ramotswa community is devastated to learn that the Malau character is no more. He was stabbed to death by his younger brother following what appears to have been a routine minor sibling tussle this past weekend at their home. Just that this time the sibling fight went wrong and ended in tears.
Ramotswa Police boss Keoagile Tau confirmed the incident, adding that Malau was certified dead upon arrival at the hospital. The incident happened in the wee hours of Saturday and the 24-year-old suspect appeared before court on Monday. He was remanded in custody for safety reasons while the police continue with investigations.
Speaking to this publication on behalf of the family, Malau’s grandparents described him as a loving son who was always full of life. “Every time I was here I would be given a hat, it was his way of appreciating my presence in his life. We loved him dearly and I would even tease him as semumu (dumb), yet he could communicate well most of the time,” said Gopolang Sera.Sera gave him this moniker because it was difficult to understand what Malau was saying when angry. He had speech disorders which delayed his ability to talk at a young age.
Itumeleng Sera added that their son was a carefree soul who did not take well to being disrespected. He thought highly of himself, yet this was a man without a single thebe to his name.
“He was able to tell off a rich man when offended and somehow this worked well in his favour as he was able to attract and befriend people in high places,” she said.
Commenting on the tragedy that befell the family, the grandparents said there was nothing the family could do. “The mother is devastated but they are both his sons, we will not be turning our backs on the younger one. He also needs us as the family,” she said.
The grandmother noted that there has always been visible bad blood between the two brothers. They fought several times but never assumed it would end with the other dying. At one point they decided on separating the two, with the younger brother taken to Tlokweng to live with the grandparents.
Meanwhile, it is said by other close family members that on that fateful day, Malau had arrived home just after midnight and found his younger brother sleeping.
He then allegedly began harassing him and threatening to beat him up for what remains unknown for now. Malau allegedly brought with him a metal rod to presumably punish the younger brother who in an instinctive act of defence grabbed a knife and ended up stabbing him.
“When we came out of our rooms to find out what was happening, we found the boy shaken and shaking while Malau was on the floor.”
Malau’s bosom buddy Thokozile Sebolao said her friend was naughty but it was easy to love him too. She shared that although Malau was younger than her, she had adopted him as her best buddy. She had no issues waking up late at night to fetch him from wherever he was. “When I found him in trouble I was quick to bail him out, he meant so much to me.
“I last saw him on Friday morning and we were to meet on that Saturday morning. I was devastated to receive a call informing me that he was no more,” she said.Sebolao said Malau made her crack up in laughter all the time saying he also loved children. When adults went shopping they left him with their children and he would keep them entertained. He was indeed a people’s person, she said.
Accordingly, Ramotswa community has been making pledges towards Malau’s funeral arrangements. Through the village’s Facebook page, Ditiragalo Tsa Motse Wa Ramotswa, community members who reacted with shock at the news of his death, took turns to make pledges both in cash and in kind. By Tuesday, the community had raised a total cash amount of P14 000. The money is expected to be handed to the Ngwako family this Wednesday.
A local businessman Ebrahim Sheiknaq said Malau was always at his premises, Shaffi’s Shell Filling Station, troubling both motorists and staff alike. However, his was the kind of trouble they will dearly miss.
“He was just a naughty boy but we knew who he was, and we never took him seriously. I had known him for many years and he was such a good boy. He was always ready to offer a helping hand knowing he would get paid for it. It is sad how he died, the whole village is shaken,” he said.
Ebrahim is one of the several residents of Ramotswa who contributed money through the village’s facebook page, with names of the area Member of Parliament and councillors among the contributors.
The family is anxious about what will happen on his burial day with multitudes expected to force their way to his funeral.