Provincial police spokesperson, Adelé Myburgh, tells OFM News the accused, Arthus Khoza and Mahlatsi Nkuna, were arrested on Monday 21 June and appeared in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate's Court on Wednesday 23 June in connection with the murder. 

The deceased’s charred body was discovered at a soccer field in Ikageng Section in Klipgat last Thursday morning. According to Myburgh, preliminary investigations led authorities to a house in Phutha Section.

At the house in question, the investigating team found bloodstains on the carpet and bed of one of the bedrooms. Myburgh says an axe, believed to have been used in the commission of the crime, was also found on top of the roof of the house. A manhunt ensued for the suspects believed to have been at that house and they were eventually traced. A third suspect remains at large. “Investigation into the matter, including identification of the body through DNA tests, continues”.  

Whilst the identity of the deceased is yet to be confirmed, the burned Hyundai i20 is confirmed to belong to marketing and communications professional Sam Junior Mbatha – who has been missing since last week Thursday.

This information was revealed by his family in a public statement on the matter. Mbatha is an employee and alumni of the North-West University in Mahikeng. The family has since requested that speculations regarding the body not be made until DNA results are released.

Despite this plea from the family regarding assumptions, the incident has elicited an outcry regarding hate crimes in South Africa and #JusticeForSam has been trending on social media since word first got out over his death.

Police are requesting members of the public with any information on the whereabouts of the third suspect to come forward. The two suspects will return to the same courthouse on 30 June 2021.

OFM News