McKeed Kotlolo

McKeed Kotlolo

A 29-year-old farmworker who allegedly bludgeoned a neighbour to death with a poker has been granted R1000 bail.

Vuyo Kenani of the farm Vierfontein in Kriel, Mpumalanga, was arrested on Monday and appeared briefly in the local magistrate's court yesterday for the alleged murder of William Matlhare, 24, of the same farm, according to police.

Superintendent Abie Khoabane of the Mpumalanga provincial police said Kenani was drinking beer with the dead man's father, Joseph Matlhare, in the early hours of August 3 2008.

At 3am William asked Kenani to leave but he wanted to finish his beer and cigarette first.

Khoabane said an argument started between the two. William allegedly grabbed a knife and stabbed Kenani four times .

Kenani tried to escape from his attacker but found the door locked.

He allegedly picked up an iron bar used for stirring the stove fire and repeatedly hit William over the head.

William was taken to the local hospital from where he was later transferred to the Witbank provincial hospital.

According to the investigating officer he died in hospital on Monday afternoon.

Kenani appeared in court yesterday morning but was not asked to plead. The case was postponed to August 26 for further investigation.