SHARPEVILLE.- A 77-year-old pensioner, Tshidi Mthembu, who is the grandmother of the late Bongani ‘Digger’ Mthembu (23) who was recently assaulted and allegedly thrown into the Vaal River says she has never and will never experience a tragedy like this one.
According to bystanders, Digger had been speaking to one of the neighbours, when a man who had been visiting the neighbour accused him (Digger) of having broken into his home in Bedworthpark and stolen from him.
The man allegedly started his assault on Digger as he denied being the one who had broken into his home.
“They told me that the man continued to beat my grandson even when people had tried to stop him, even the man’s friend tried to stop him but he was unstoppable. The man is said to have put Digger in the boot of his car before he drove off ending up at the Vaal River,” The grandmother says adding that the neighbour also got into the car.
She continues by saying that she is surprised that this happened just a walk from her home, but no one thought of coming to let the family know what was happening. She maintains that her grandson did not deserve to die the way he did.
“Bongani’s death comes as a shock to the entire family. I am a well-known person in this area, but not even one person ran to my house to alert the family that he was being attacked.”
Sharpeville Police Spokesperson Lieutenant Jabulani Mohlong confirms that a murder case is being investigated.
“According to the witness, he did not see whether the suspect actually threw the deceased into the river as he left before this happened, but the lifeless body of the deceased was found in the river after a search ensued. “Our investigations into the matter are ongoing. Another charge of kidnapping and assault with grievous bodily harm has been added to the case.”
Mohlong adds that the suspect has been released on bail pending investigations. “I would like to urge community members to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and let the law take it’s course.”
