Dalphine Tagwireyi
A 16-year-old grade 8 learner from a secondary school in Bethal is among five suspects who appeared in court on Monday facing charges of the murder of one man and the gang-rape of three women.
The five allegedly had an altercation with 25-year-old June Mwafor, a Nigerian national, in Bethal on Friday, 17 June.
Mwafor ran towards a local fuel station to get away from the gang but he was pursued and stabbed several times before being left behind in a pool of blood. He was rushed to Bethal Hospital but succumbed to his injuries on Saturday.
Later on Friday, the five suspects stormed into a house in eMzinoni where they gang-raped three women.
After investigations, police arrested the grade 8 learner, together with two 17-year-old suspects and Mkhanyiseni Ncamu, 29 and Sunday Sibiya, 24, at a hideout in eMzinoni on Saturday, 18 June.
After Monday’s brief appearance at the Bethal Magistrate’s Court, the three teenagers have been remanded in custody until 22 June for a formal bail application and to apply for legal representation.
Ncamu and Sibiya will appear for their formal bail application on 29 June.
Police in Mpumalanga said that they are investigating the possibility that the five might be involved in gangsterism.
The Mpumalanga police commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, said that she is concerned about the rate at which young people are found to clash with the law in the province.
“I want to reassure the public that police will continue to work tirelessly in order to dismantle any form of criminal groupings or syndicates that terrorise communities with crime,” she said.
“There is so much space created by the various challenges that the world faces today, which young people can turn into opportunities by bringing forth innovative ideas and solutions rather than engaging themselves in criminal activities.
“We encourage the youth to join the Youth Crime Prevention Desk at their respective police stations.”
Image source: Twitter
