Pretoria – Murder charges have finally been added to the crimes allegedly committed by three suspects arrested for the fatal shooting of 5-year-old Ditebogo Junior Phalane during a hijacking in Soshanguve.
A week ago National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana told reporters the arrested suspects were “not linked” to the little boy’s killing and were only facing charges of illegal possession of guns and ammunition.
However, when 36-year-old Elia Moeko, 30-year-old Ali Sithole, and 29-year-old Nido Gumbe appeared in the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court Tuesday they were facing a charge of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
In addition, Gumbe, who is a Mozambican national, is facing a charge of being in the country illegally.
Allegations are that on 10 May 2024, the three shot and killed Ditebogo during a hijacking in which they made off with the boy’s father’s car.
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The suspects were arrested within a fortnight.
In court, the suspects abandoned their bail application and disclosed to the court that they had other pending cases.
Moeko has a pending case of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of unlicensed ammunition.
Sithole has a pending case at Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court that will appear on 28 June 2024, where he is facing charges of possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, attempted murder, and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Sithole also has a pending case at Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court, where he is facing charges of possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of ammunition.
Gumbe has a pending case at Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court where he is facing charges of possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of ammunition.
The trio were remanded in custody and their matter was postponed to 27 August 2024.
