Byline:Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
10 April 2025
A facility has been uncovered at Evander in Mpumalanga whereby a number of young people were kept and reportedly tortured. A case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm is currently under investigation by the Police, with the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit handling the case.
According to the information at police disposal, one victim was taken from his residence on 27 March 2025 and endured traumatic experiences at the hands of unidentified individuals at the facility until his escape on 08 April 2025. The victim was reportedly forced to swim in a muddy dam, cover his head in mud, and endure physical assaults with a sjambok and pick pipe. The victim was deprived of adequate food and hygiene during his ordeal.
After the matter was brought to the attention of the Police on Tuesday, 08 April 2025 case was registered the next day, police traced and apprehended the two male suspects, aged 24 and 29, in connection with the case.
They are scheduled to appear at the Evander Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 11 April 2025.
The victims in this case, the majority of whom are underage children, were allegedly subjected to horrific treatment at the hands of their captors.
The Police are particularly concerned about reports that some of these victims were brought to the facility by their own parents under the guise of disciplinary measures.
Meanwhile the Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, has strongly condemned the incident and instructed a thorough investigation to identify and hold accountable all individuals involved in these acts of inhumane torture against young people.
