The family of the tragically murdered 18-year-old, Nhlamulo Sambo, has firmly dismissed the police’s narrative that his death occurred during a botched robbery in Mossel Bay. They assert that Nhlamulo was specifically targeted due to his Tsonga heritage and roots in Limpopo.
His mother contends that the 15-year-old companion who was with him at the time escaped harm, attributing this to the fact that he is Xhosa-speaking.
In recent days, Mossel Bay has been engulfed in a surge of protests against illegal immigration.
According to police reports, Sambo and his young friend were allegedly discovered inside a shack during a suspected burglary and confronted by the property owner. However, Nkateko Sambo, Nhlamulo’s grieving mother, believes the police have relied on a concocted account.
“My son was murdered like an animal. They took his life simply because he is a Tsonga from Limpopo. I am convinced of this, especially since that boy who was with him is Xhosa and was not harmed. They forcibly broke down the door, and I can see the marks of a large boot—size 9 or 10—indicating how they entered,” she expressed.
“They were together, but they dragged my son outside, likely to avoid raising suspicion about why the other boy was unharmed. As Nhlamulo’s mother, my heart is shattered, and I am furious about the misleading statements regarding my son. I demand justice for him.”
In the meantime, Provincial Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile has announced the arrest of a 23-year-old suspect in connection with Sambo’s murder. However, Patekile stands by the claim that the two teens were found inside a shack during an alleged burglary.
“What we have gathered so far indicates that the deceased, along with the 15-year-old, were in a shack,” he stated.
“They were discovered there around three in the morning by the shack owner. The suspect, who has now been apprehended, allegedly pursued the deceased, resulting in him being stabbed, while the 15-year-old managed to hide under the bed. This is how we learned they were allegedly attempting to steal items that did not belong to them.”
Meanwhile, the civic organization March and March has denied any involvement in the brutal slaying of Sambo. Founder Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma extended her condolences to the bereaved families and urged for calm as tensions in the area remain high.
