Entrances to Malamulele township were barricaded by protesting learners who blocked the streets with rubble, bringing services and schooling to a standstill. On Wednesday morning, the situation was still tense, with police keeping a watchful eye.
The protest action followed a tragic incident in which armed bandits forced their way into a house, demanding money, tying up the owner, raping his daughter, and fatally shooting his 20-year-old son before fleeing the scene with their loot.
The victim, a Grade 12 learner at EPP Mhinga High School, was murdered in his home at Malamulele B2 on Monday morning at around 02:30.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba confirmed the incident and stated that a murder and rape docket had been opened. He explained that the 43-year-old father had been sleeping in his bedroom when he had heard the door being opened forcefully. Upon waking, he saw two unknown intruders with their faces covered by balaclavas.
One of the intruders pointed a firearm at the father and demanded money and cellphones. The father gave them his cellphone and informed them that he had no money. At that point, the assailants tied him up and went to the other rooms, where his children were sleeping. While still in his bedroom, he heard three gunshots. After freeing himself, he went to check on his children, but by then, the attackers had already fled.
He found his 20-year-old son lying on the floor, shot in the head and bleeding heavily. He also discovered that his 17-year-old daughter had been raped by one of the suspects. The father then rushed to a neighbour's house to get help, and an ambulance was called. Both children were taken to Malamulele Hospital, where the 20-year-old was declared dead on arrival.
Mashaba further reported that the robbers had stolen several items, including a Samsung cellphone, HP laptop, Bosch chainsaw, a 45 cm Hisense TV, a bicycle, and a grinder, valued at a total of R36,300.
Local community leaders have strongly condemned the incident. Malamulele ward councillor Allways Baloyi expressed his shock, saying, "As a community, we no longer feel safe in our homes. This is a very sad situation that must be condemned by all. As leaders and as a community, we abhor such barbaric actions, and we must stand together to fight this scourge. Just the same day, a local Somali shopkeeper was also shot dead during a robbery in the same area. This is terrible, and the sooner these criminals are arrested, the better."
Malamulele SANCO leader Mr Sydwell Mabasa called it an assault on the community. "We are under siege, and something urgent must be done to stop this. Just imagine the pain of a father witnessing the murder of his son and the rape of his daughter. The family was not resisting - why didn't the criminals just take what they wanted and leave? As a community, we will meet at 16:00 to discuss the way forward," he said.
At the time of our going to press, the area remained volatile, with protesting learners burning tires and blocking roads.