A MARATHON drinking spree ended tragically at the weekend after a man was stabbed to death at a popular drinking joint.

Seshego police have opened a case of murder after Marius Malatji, 30, was stabbed several times in the head with sharp instruments, allegedly at The Mary's tavern in GaManamela village, Limpopo, early on Sunday.

Four men were arrested and will appear in the Seshego magistrate's court today.

The fifth suspect is still at large. It is believed that the fugitive has fled to Gauteng where he works.

Seshego police spokesperson Captain Mothemane Malefo confirmed a case of murder had been opened and said investigations were in full swing.

After the gruesome stabbing, the alleged attackers loaded Malatji's body into his car, which was later found abandoned at one of the nearby villages in the Molejie area.

Witnesses told police the fight between the deceased and his assailants was over a girl, also a patron at the tavern.

The dead man was reportedly called by a friend who wanted to "hook him up" with the girl at the centre of the brawl.