Dylan Bettencourt
An 18-year-old has been beaten to death by his own family members who had accused him of stealing a T-shirt.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala confirmed that three people in Mpumalanga have been arrested in connection with the murder while another remains on the run.
Suspects Gladys Mashabane, 51, Skholiwe Mbuyane, 27, and Sandiso Mbuyane, 26 appeared in the Kabokweni Magistrate’s Court on Monday and will remain in custody until Friday when they will apply for bail.
The murdered teenager, Andile Sambo, was a grade 10 student at Bhekiswako Secondary School. He was beaten by family members, including his aunt, for allegedly breaking into their home and stealing a T-shirt.
Andile was said to have been beaten to death with a wooden log and a sjambok at the home of his relatives near Hazyview.
“He was taken to Phola Nsikazi Clinic for medical treatment where he was declared dead,” said Mohlala.
Mohlala said the incident happened last Tuesday and the boy was confirmed dead the next day.
“Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela condemned the incident and advised parents to be an example to society rather than taking the law into their own hands,” the Mpumalanga SAPS said.
