Arrested suspects yet to be linked to Ditebogo Phalane’s murder - NPA

Phalane, who was laid to rest on Friday died in hospital after he was shot by assailants who were hijacking his father last Friday.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has clarified that the pair, who made separate appearances in the Soshanguve and Pretoria North Courts on Friday, faces charges related to the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The NPA Lumka Mahanjana has clarified that two people are yet to be linked to Phalane’s murder.

“At this point, the two accused persons are not linked to the killing of the five-year-old in Soshanguve. However, investigations are ongoing, and until investigations link them to the offense the two will then be charged.

“At this point, there is no charge of murder. The two accused persons are not facing a charge of murder.”

READ: Two nabbed for murder of Ditebogo Junior Phalane (5)

She explains why members of public were barred from attending court proceedings.

“Media and the public were not allowed inside the court today because further investigations still needed to be conducted, like the identity parade, in order not to compromise the investigations of the case.” 

Following their brief appearances, the cases in the Soshanguve and Pretoria North Magistrates courts were postponed to the 27 and 28 of May respectively.

Meanwhile, when addressing mourners at the child’s funeral at the Kopanong Hall in Soshanguve on Friday, police minister Bheki Cele said that police were hot on the heels of at least two more suspects.

“These two people, we’ll give you the names, and there are two other people we are chasing based on the information we have; there might be more. We hope all of them will be found and be put at a place where they are supposed to be.”

Police announced the arrest of two suspects at a media briefing on Thursday, saying that the duo were found with an unlicensed firearm and a car jammer.

ALSO READ: