Pascalinah Kabi
A MEMBER of the ruling Alliance of Democrats (AD) party (30), died during the early hours of Sunday from injuries that he sustained in a fight at a concert for party supporters the previous night.
Police Spokesperson, Superintendent Mpiti Mopeli yesterday confirmed the death of the 30 year-old party supporter at Mokhotlong hospital. Supt Mopeli said another 23 year-old party supporter was severely injured and was fighting for his life at the same hospital.
“No suspect has been arrested yet in connection with the murder and grievous assault of the other victim,” Supt Mopeli said, adding investigations were in progress.
Violence has occasionally reared its head at the AD functions and last year, a party member, Thabiso Moqolo, was shot dead during a brawl that erupted over the authenticity of party delegates for a Koro-Koro constituency primary elections in Mazenod.
The primary election had been organised to decide who of Ambassador Refiloe Litjobo and Khotso Makana would represent the AD snap national elections that were held in June.
Mr Moqolo’s shooting followed counter-accusations by the candidates who claimed some people were bussed from other constituencies to sway the vote.
However, the AD spokesperson, Thuso Litjobo said the latest deadly violence was an isolated case, which should not be connected to the past incidents of violence.
“The party has dealt with the past incidents (of violence) and we are stable. We are not linking what happened on Saturday to past conflicts because the causes are different,” Mr Litjobo said.
Mr Litjobo said the Saturday brawl was triggered by a misunderstanding over the use of entry and exit points during the music concert.
He said the organisers of the concert had identified two separate doors to be used to enter and exit the hall where the concert was staged. Thereafter, the organisers assigned two people to manage the movement of people and at some point during the concert, the now deceased attempted to enter the hall through the door which had been designated for leaving.
The marshals at the door prevented him from entering and this sparked a fierce argument.
“A fight ensued and in the process, the now deceased was hit by an object,” Mr Litjobo said.
Police were called in and they rushed the injured man to the hospital where he later died. Mr Litjobo said that shortly afterwards, a group of men from the now deceased’s village showed up at the venue and started another fight which left one man seriously injured.
“The party is yet to decide on the matter and we will soon advise whether or not we will continue with night events,” Mr Litjobo said.
