A 23-year-old basketball coach has been arrested in connection with the murder of 12-year-old Sibusiso Dakuse from Mandela Park in Hout Bay. The suspect is making his first court appearance today [Monday, March 2], after the boy’s body was discovered among reeds in the area over the weekend.
Members of the Hout Bay community have made their way to the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court where the suspect is due to appear and are protesting.
Classmates of murdered 13yo #SibusisoDakuse protest outside Wynberg Magistrates Court where his suspectes murderer is set to appear on Monday. Sibusiso went missing after basketball practice in Hout Bay on Wednesday, body found on Friday. #TazneVanWyk #EmaanSolomons @TimesLIVE pic.twitter.com/ANrV9970mX
— Aron Hyman (@aron_hyman) March 2, 2020
It was revealed that the suspect was Sibusiso’s coach at Sentinel Primary School.
“The suspect, who was known to the 12-year-old, is believed to be the last person who was in the company of the child,” said Brigadier Novela Potelwa, police spokesperson, in a statement. “The investigation, which is at an advanced stage, is yet to determine through forensic evidence whether a body that was found between the reeds on Kronendal Farm on Friday is that of the missing child. More details on this investigation are expected to emerge in court when the suspect appears (today).”
In a separate incident, a 53-year-old suspect was arrested after the body of a seven-year-old boy was discovered in the bushes of a riverbank in Tulbagh at 7am on the morning of Sunday, March 1. According to Potelwa, a search was initiated after the family of the boy reported that he was missing.
The seven-year-old had allegedly told his parents that he was going off to play with some friends. He was reported missing on Sunday morning as well, and his body was found mere hours later.
Western Cape police have confirmed the murder of a 7- year-old boy in Tulbagh in the Cape Winelands. He was reported missing after 7 O’Clock this morning. A search was immediately initiated and his body was found in the bushes on the river bank.A 53-year-old suspect was arrested pic.twitter.com/N4RGLRLq1h
— Esmarelda (@EsmareldaMckay) March 1, 2020
“He is expected to appear in the Tulbagh Magistrate’s court soon. As the investigation unfolds more charges could be added,” Potelwa said about the suspect. It is also alleged that the suspect is known to the family of the young boy.
Picture: Twitter/Aaron Hyman
