| Eight suspects appear in court for a 2023 murder incident at Vaalbank | |
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| Date Published: | 2025/11/07 |
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Media Statement NELSPRUIT - Eight suspects (three males and five females) have appeared before the Mbibane Magistrate’s Court on Friday 07 November 2025, in connection with a murder that occurred in 2023 at Vaalbank. The Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit arrested the eight suspects earlier today around the Bloedfontein area. The suspects are identified as: • Gilbert Tlaka (58) • Alidah Ramatsetse (56) • Grace Mashiane (55) • Fridah Komape (53) • Mamsi Sambo (56) • Simon Kotlolo (51) • Giveness Maja (51) • George Modiba (55) According to the investigation, the arrests stem from an incident in which an eight-year-old girl went missing on 12 February 2023 around Bloedfontein. She was later found dead inside a pit toilet. Subsequently, on 18 February 2023, around 02:00, police responded to a scene where three people were brutally killed by community members who suspected them of being involved in the child’s death. The victims, identified as Zele Machika (53), Thabo Maubane (22), and Paulinah Maubane (51), were found on the street with severe injuries. Emergency personnel certified them dead at the scene, believed to be the result of mob justice. Police also discovered two vehicles, a Ford Bantam and a VW Jetta 4, which had been burned to ashes. It was later established that both vehicles belonged to Thabo Maubane. All eight suspects have been remanded in custody and are expected to appear again on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, for a formal bail application. The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, commended the Provincial team for their dedication in ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice “It is unfortunate that a family lost their lives in such a barbaric act. We cannot bring them back, but we hope the community will learn that taking the law into their own hands is never the solution. Justice always prevails, and the truth eventually comes out,” said Major General Mkhwanazi. Ends
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