- Siviwe Thulare, an 18-year-old suspect in the abduction and murder of two children, died in hospital after a mob attack.
- Thulare was accused of killing six-year-old Junior Mabandla and three-year-old Peaceful Khoza.
- The children were found buried in shallow graves in Pienaar, Mpumalanga.
Siviwe Thulare, the 18-year-old suspect apprehended for the abduction and murder of two children, succumbed to his injuries at Rob Ferreira Hospital on Thursday.
Siviwe Thulare dies in hospital after mob attack
Thulare had been under police guard since last week after being severely beaten by residents of Pienaar, outside Mbombela.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Captain Magoseni Nkosi, Thulare was due to appear in court on Monday for the second time, after his initial appearance in absentia earlier in the week.
Despite medical efforts, he could not recover from the injuries inflicted by the mob.
Did Siviwe Thulare kill Peaceful Khoza and Junior Mabandla?
Thulare was accused of the brutal murders of six-year-old Junior Mabandla and three-year-old Peaceful Khoza.
The children’s bodies were discovered in shallow graves in different areas of Pienaar.
Junior had been missing since 3 June 2024, while Peaceful disappeared last week Wednesday.
Thulare, who was reportedly best friends with Peaceful’s father, led authorities to the graves.
Junior and Peaceful’s families are devastated by the loss, with the children being buried on Tuesday, days after their bodies were exhumed.
SA police condemn mob attacks
The South African Police Service (SAPS) strongly condemned the mob attack that led to Thulare’s death.
Spokesperson Athlenda Mathe emphasised that mob justice jeopardizes criminal investigations and can hinder the solving of cases, including those involving other potential victims or accomplices.
“SAPS discourages mob justice as this jeopardises the solving of cases including cases that may involve other victims or accomplices to the crime,” she said.
The police urged communities to allow the justice system to function without interference and warned against taking the law into their own hands.
Mathe reiterated that the SAPS remains committed to bringing all perpetrators of crime to justice through proper legal channels.