Boy (16) nabbed for murder
Violence has again reared its ugly head among the youth in Thembalethu, resulting in the murder of an 18-year-old boy last weekend. Police arrested a teenager (16) in connection with the murder of Sinoxolo Mlunguza in Thembalethu just after 01:00 on Sunday 8 October.
According to Captain Malcolm Pojie, Southern Cape Police spokesperson, the suspect was arrested in Mossel Bay after leads and witness accounts were followed up.
Pojie said the police investigation revealed that Mlunguza was surrounded by a group of young men in Lukhanyo Street, Zone 9 and attacked. “During the attack, the victim sustained several stab wounds to his body and died on his way to the hospital. The suspect is currently detained, awaiting assessment by a social worker,” said Pojie. He appeared in the George Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday 11 October.
Gang-related fights at schools
Earlier this year in February, Thembalethu leaders and various stakeholders, including taxi drivers, the Thembalethu Community Police Forum (CPF), teachers and church leaders, met in an attempt to stop the fights at schools. The stakeholders expressed great concern about the situation at Thembalethu High and Imizamo Yethu Secondary.
At the time the police said they were investigating serious cases such as murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault and the illegal possession of firearms related to these gangs.
The meeting came after rival gangs from the two high schools chased each other with knives and pangas after school. A learner (17) from Imizamo Yethu Secondary lost the use of his left arm after he was stabbed in the neck and back during a fight.
The rival groups were summoned to Imizamo Yethu Secondary school where parents, teachers and taxi industry leaders discussed ways to end the problem. It was established that the gangs are from different areas within Thembalethu and the triggers for their fights could be as small as an argument between two boys about who is “the best”.