Central SA
Harrismith double murder accused abandons bail application─── ZENANDE MPAME 13:22 Wed, 08 Jul 2026
The case of the alleged murderer of two young brothers from Harrismith will be back in the local magistrate’s court on Wednesday, 12 August, after he abandoned his bail application.
Mduduzi Lakaje, 26, appeared in the same court on Tuesday (7/7) for his bail application, and the case was postponed for further investigation after he abandoned his bail. He has been charged with two counts of murder.
Netwerk 24 reports the brothers Reanetswe, 9, and Thabiso Lakaje, 14, were allegedly murdered because Mduduzi believed the mother of the brothers killed his brother when they were children.
The brothers were assaulted at the Toekoms farm. They were found with their hands tied with pieces of cloth and their mouths gagged. The two boys were later discovered near the doorway of their home by a security guard. He alerted the farm manager, prompting an emergency response.
“The case of the accused person in the double murder at the Toekoms farm was postponed for further investigation,” said Free State police spokesperson WO Mmako Mophiring.
“We take note that Mduduzi Lakaje also abandoned his bail application. He was remanded in custody until his next court appearance.”
Emergency services were called to the scene. The elder brother, Thabiso, was found deceased upon discovery. Reanetswe was still alive at the time and was rushed to a nearby hospital.
Before his death, Reanetswe allegedly identified the attacker. Despite efforts by medical personnel, he later succumbed to his injuries. Their mother was at work during the incident and was informed afterwards.
Free State provincial commissioner Lt. Gen. Thabang Lesia welcomed the cooperation of the farming community for not taking the law into their own hands, but instead informing police when the suspect resurfaced following the horrific incident.
“I applaud the police for their swift response in apprehending the suspect, now it is time for justice to prevail and the family of the victims deserves closure.”
The family believes the boys were killed in revenge and that Mduduzi allegedly left a warning for the mother that he was going to kill the children. The message was allegedly carved behind the family’s front door.
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