Braamfischerville panga attack: 19-year-old arrested after schoolboy dies

An 18-year-old schoolboy was allegedly hacked to death with a panga in Braamfischerville on Tuesday, and police arrested a 19-year-old suspect the following day, the South African Police Service said.

What happened

Police were alerted after a body was reported at a local clinic. Preliminary investigations revealed the deceased was a learner at a secondary school in Meadowlands who had left home earlier that morning to visit a friend in Phase 1, Braamfischerville. The two then went to a secondary school in the area where the learner was attacked and assaulted by unknown suspects.

The teen sustained severe injuries and was transported to a local clinic in a private vehicle, where he later died from his wounds.

Arrest and police action

Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, a police spokesperson, said detectives from Dobsonville arrested a 19-year-old suspect on Wednesday, 3 June, following an intensive investigation.

“Dobsonville detectives have arrested a 19-year-old suspect in connection with the murder of an 18-year-old boy. The arrest was effected on Wednesday, 3 June, following an intensive investigation by the detectives,” Sibeko said.

The suspect is expected to appear before the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 5 June. Police investigations into the matter are continuing.

Community and next steps

The attack has left the local community reeling. Police encouraged anyone with information or witnesses to come forward as investigations continue.