Mpumalanga Mystery Unsolved: Teen Accused in Pienaar Murders Dies in Hospital

• Many netizens were concerned that the teenager accused of killing two children died before he could name his accomplices
• The SAPS told Briefly News that the 18-year-old died under police guard at the Rob Ferreira Hospital
• Police arrested Siviwe Thulare after he pointed out the shallow graves of missing children Junior Mabandla (6) and Peaceful Khoza (3)

Zingisa Chirwa is an experienced Briefly News journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, who has covered Mpumalanga crime and current affairs on the radio for over 15 years.

Many South Africans were concerned that the teenager accused of murdering two children in Pienaar died before revealing who he was working with to authorities.

According to SowetanLIVE, Siviwe Thulare (18) died under police guard at the Rob Ferreira Hospital on 11 July 2024.

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Teen assaulted by community

Thulare, who allegedly pointed out where missing Junior Mabandla (6) and Peaceful Khoza (3) were buried, was assaulted by members of the Pienaar community near Mbombela, Mpumalanga on 6 July 2024.

Mabandla disappeared on 3 June 2024, while Khoza went missing on the day of the assault. Mpumalanga police’s Captain Magoseni Nkosi confirmed to Briefly News that the suspect succumbed to his injuries:

"We are continuing with our investigation even though no extra suspects were arrested."

Nkosi added that the Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, was saddened by the suspect's death as there was still more information that was going to be gathered from him.

Mzansi weighs in

Facebook users were concerned that Thulare’s death meant his accomplices would never be apprehended.

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Tumis Smith said:

“Good riddance, but he should have told people what happened [and] why he killed the kids.”

Gabisile Nhlengetfwa added:

“Lokubuhlungu kuthi asiyokwazi kuthi [The sad part is that we will not know] why or who paid him to do it.”

Colly Hlabirwa speculated:

“The ones who sent him to kill those kids killed him, thinking he will confess.”

Nathi Mabutane pointed out:

“But still, the real culprits are still among us on our streets and will recruit more teenagers.”

Leonard Phekani commented:

“Nature decided to take the law into its hands.”

Bonisiwe Mabuza murder: Community calls for harsh punishment

Briefly News previously reported that the case against the three people arrested for the murder of Bonisiwe Mabuza was postponed to 14 August 2024.

Tshepo Madonsela and Mbuyiseni Sikhiti were remanded in custody while Petunia Mhlanga was granted R500 bail.

Community members who protested outside the Kanyamazane Periodical Court demanded harsher punishment against the accused.

Source: Briefly News