Central SA
Colesberg murder accused remains in custody after CUT student’s death─── ZENANDE MPAME 13:37 Mon, 23 Jun 2025
A local suspect will appear in the Colesberg Magistrate’s Court on a charge of murder on Wednesday, 13 August, after he was denied bail.
Siphosovuyo Yabo (21) appeared in the same court on Thursday (19/6) for a judgment on his bail application, when it was postponed to Friday. Yabo was remanded in custody.
He was arrested in connection with the murder of Alulutho Buba (19), a first-year Central University of Technology student. She was found with stab wounds to her neck and abdomen on Thursday, 5 June, in a veld between Bongweni and Khayelitsha in Kuyasa, Colesberg. She was studying for a Bachelor of Education degree in EMS Management.
“The NPA welcomes the decision to deny bail to Siphosovuyo Yabo, who stands accused of the brutal murder of Bunono Alulutho Buba,” said Northern Cape NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane.
“The NPA remains committed to intensifying its efforts in the prosecution of gender-based violence and femicide. It further reaffirms its stance that those who commit such heinous crimes will be brought to book and face the full might of the law.”
On Thursday (19/6), a crowd gathered outside the court chanting “Justice for Alulutho” to oppose Yabo’s bail application. She was buried on Saturday, 14 June, in Colesberg.
Police received a report of people who were being attacked at a drinking establishment in Kuyasa, Colesberg, in the early hours of Thursday, 5 June.
Alulutho Buba was buried on Saturday, 14 June. Photo: TikTok/ Screenshot
Upon arrival, officers found no one and they proceeded to the Manne Dipico hospital to check if any persons were receiving medical treatment.
At the hospital, a Volkswagen Golf stopped, and Yabo reported that his girlfriend was lying in the veld between Bongweni and Khayelitsha. He was arrested in connection with her murder.
For the fourth quarter 2024/25 crime statistics in the Northern Cape, murder increased by 21 reported cases compared to the previous year’s 91 to 112 cases.
“Most of our murders involve people who know each other; they were in the same dwelling, enjoying each other’s company, and the next moment, they fight and kill each other,” said Northern Cape police commissioner, Lt Gen. Koliswa Otola.
