8 August 2014 R1-20/FREE
Bela Bela mourns soccer player
The late Kwena Noko will be dearly missed. Photo supplied
Lizzy Bapela The town of Bela Bela was shaken by the loss of a talented soccer player this past weekend. Kwena Noko passed away following a fight at a local tavern on Saturday, 2 August, during the course of which he sustained serious injuries to his face and head. Bela Bela police spokesperson constable Glen Manamela said that the deceased and another young man were fighting over a cellphone at Club Paradise. According to the police the men were initially fighting with beer bottles, but the weapon finally used for the murder remains unknown. Constable Manamela said that both the suspect and the deceased suffered serious injuries to their heads. She added that the case was currently the subject of much rumour
The suspect, Ezekiel Elias Sibanda, is expected in court soon. Photo supplied
and speculation in the township. The cellphone that the men were fighting over belonged, apparently, to a girl. The woman’s role in the proceedings is not yet clear. The deceased was rushed to Bela Bela Hospital for urgent medical attention but was declared dead on arrival. Noko was the third child of Mpho and Sello Noko, and had two older sisters. He completed Grade 12 at Bela Bela High School in 2013, and was studying Electrical Engineering at the time of his death. His mother described him as a kind and loving person who was always respectful of others. A former primary school teacher of Noko’s, Mike Letlalo, said that the deceased was a talented soccer player. He said that he played defence, and was also a good student. “Even when he had quit soccer, he would not miss any of our games, and
would make valuable contributions where necessary. There was always laughter wherever he was, as he was full of jokes, and I have never seen him angry in my life. We have lost a very gifted player, who we predicted would one day play for Bafana Bafana. This loss affects not just his family and friends, but the soccer world as a whole,” said Letlalo. Noko played for the Bela Bela local team Happy Hearts, formerly known as Manchester United for some time. The suspect was arrested immediately after the incident and was charged with murder. He was arrested on his way from the local clinic where he had received medical attention. He appeared before the Bela Bela Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 4 August, and his case was remanded to Monday, 11 August for formal bail application, as he remains in custody. Noko will be buried at the local cemetery on Saturday, 9 August.