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BUILDER HELD FOR MURDER

Frank Maponya

Frank Maponya

One of the two men initially held for questioning in connection with the death of a building contractor at a school in GaMaphalle village has been linked to the murder.

The body of Alex Sedi, 50, was found at the Pipa Primary School on Monday morning.

Bolobedu police spokesman Captain Freddy Maake said yesterday that preliminary investigations had revealed that Fistos Ralebala was allegedly responsible for the man's death.

The second man, according to Maake, was questioned and released.

This follows the discovery of Sedi's body by teachers at the school

The teachers acted swiftly to get the children to leave the school and return home to prevent them from seeing the corpse on the premises.

The body had multiple wounds to the head and body. Witnesses say it looked as if the victim had been attacked with an axe.

Sedi was contracted with Ralebala and several other men to build eight toilets, a nutrition centre and six classrooms at the school.

Sebi's lifeless body was found lying in a pool of blood.

Maake said yesterday that bloodsoaked clothes were found at Ralebala's home, which led police to believe that he might be involved in the killing.

"We have since sent the clothes to the forensic laboratory in Pretoria for testing," Maake said.

Ralebala, 39, was refused bail in the Bolobedu magistrate's court on Wednesday.

The case was postponed to June 25 for further investigation.

"We appeal to anyone who might have any information about the case to come forward and assist us," Maake said.

Pipa Primary School principal Ben Machipi confirmed yesterday that lessons had resumed and that the school was trying to get back to normal.

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