Byline: Refeloe Letsoisa
12 July 2023
The indigenous game that three children of the same age were playing reportedly turned fatal when one of them, who was 12 years old, was allegedly fatally stabbed by another 12-year-old.
According to reports, the horrifying incident happened on Tuesday, 11 July 2023 morning at about 11h200 near Matsulu C, outside the city of Mbombela.
Another 12-year-old who apparently witnessed the incident stated that the group was playing the mrabaraba indigenous game when his two friends started fighting.
It is further alleged that after a misunderstanding between the two friends, one of the children slapped the other with an open hand.
The one assaulted is said to have grabbed two broken beer bottles then allegedly stabbed the deceased multiple times on his body, using both bottles.
Thereafter it is said that the suspect fled the scene meanwhile the witness reported the matter to the deceased’s family and they immediately took the deceased to the clinic where he later succumbed to his injuries.
A murder case was opened at Matsulu Police Station and the minor suspect was later located and arrested on the same day at around 15h00.
Currently probation officers were brought on board to assist as the case involves a minor and the suspect will undergo some kind of assessment in due course then more details regarding his court appearance will be communicated accordingly.
Meanwhile the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela was saddened by the minor’s murder.
“This incident is uncalled for and in a way, the ordeal depicts some kind of moral decay in our society.
We call on community leaders, spiritual leaders, and opinion leaders to work together with the state organs in restoring the moral fiber of the society,” said the General.
