Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo

05 November 2025

Njabulo Donald  Maeba (20)and Tshepo Given Khumalo (19) appeared before the Evander Magistrate’s court on Tuesday, 04 November 2025. 

They are facing a charge of murder. 

 According to information received from the deceased’s family, Edwin and his friend were coming back from a local night club at about 03h00am on 28 September 2025 when they noticed a group of people robbing a shop near his home. 

Upon noticing who was robbing the shop, Edwin tried to reprimand two of them.

He chased them down the street. When walking back home, three of the boys who were still inside the shop came out and attacked him. 

They robbed him of his cellphone before leaving him lying helpless. 

His friend ran to call for help at his house. 

When his family got to the scene, they immediately took him to the hospital, where he was admitted. 

The family embarked on a search for Edwin’s Cellphone, enquiring from the family members of the boys who assaulted him. The phone was later brought by the guardians of one of the boys. 

He succumbed to his injuries on the 15th of October 2025 whilst in hospital. 

During the bail application, the state opposed the two getting bail, stating they might interfere with witnesses and the family of the deceased person. 

Further, the investigations are finalised, and the matter is ready for trial.

During the bail application judgment, the court stated that Applicant no 1, Njabulo Maeba, lied before the court that he is still a schooler and was currently in the middle of exams; therefore, the court found that if released on bail, he would not follow his bail conditions 

Applicant no 2, Given Khumalo, attends the same school, same grade, and uses the same transport as the state witness; therefore court found that there would be a likelihood of interference with the witness. 

The court found that the two did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that it was in the interest of justice for them to be admitted to bail.

Their matter has been postponed for the regional court’s decision on the 19 of November 2025.