BY LERATO PHOSISI
New testimony has emerged in the mob justice case that claimed the life of a 38-year-old man in Orange Farm, with witnesses asserting that the fatal assault commenced following the deceased’s purported confession to prolonged child sexual abuse. 4 June 2026, Sebokeng— The matter was postponed to 9 June 2026 at the Sebokeng Regional Court in Houtkop after four community members appeared on charges of murder.
The deceased was interred on Saturday, 30 May 2026, one week after his death on 20 May in the Poortjie area.
Residents confronted the man following allegations that he had sexually violated a 14-year-old boy and three other minors. According to community member Namhla Mkhwanazi, she initiated the interrogation. She contends that the man subsequently confessed “everything from where it started and how he did everything”.
Mkhwanazi further stated that the deceased’s younger brother was present within the crowd and privy to the confession. “He became enraged and was the first to strike the deceased, demanding to know how many times he had implored him to cease the conduct.” She asserted that the community, incensed upon hearing his admission of rape, then participated in the assault.
Police discovered the man with open cranial lacerations and multiple trauma consistent with blunt force. Emergency services were summoned; however, he was pronounced dead on arrival. Acting Station Commander Colonel Thapelo Mofokeng confirmed that four suspects were apprehended without delay and cautioned residents against extrajudicial action.
Relatives of alleged victims aver that the abuse had persisted with impunity for years.
Azile Sigqumo, 24, the eldest sibling in her household, stated that her 14-year-old brother was molested by the same individual and that a rape docket had been instituted. She alleges that the docket subsequently disappeared. Her mother, a pensioner and herself present among the crowd, was arrested and consequently forfeited a grant disbursement upon which the family is reliant. “This has profoundly affected my siblings and my family,” Sigqumo remarked.
Nomthandazo Nkosi, 39, recounted that her son was molested by the deceased in 2018 at the age of five. She alleges that the perpetrator proffered sweets to the child thereafter. “He targeted only boys; this was for ritualistic purposes, as he was a traditional healer,” Nkosi claimed. “I am at last relieved, for the perpetrator now lies six feet beneath the earth, and countless other children have been spared.”
Police confirmed that a rape docket had previously been registered against the deceased and remained under investigation. A separate murder docket was thereafter opened against the four arrested suspects. Colonel Mofokeng reiterated that criminal allegations must be reported to the South African Police Service to ensure due process.
The court postponed proceedings to 9 June 2026 to allow for further investigation. Inquiries into both the alleged sexual violations and the fatal assault remain underway. This is a developing story
