Two more suspects linked to the murder of Ditebogo Phalane, a five-year-old Soshanguve boy who was killed in a botched hijacking, have been arrested.
Found with unlicensed guns
This was confirmed by the Hawks in a media statement on Tuesday, saying the suspects were found in possession of two unlicensed firearms when they were nabbed on Monday. The arrests bring the total number of suspects taken into custody for the gruesome crime to four.
The first two suspects were arrested in connection with the murder of Ditebogo Phalane Jr, a five-year-old Soshanguve boy who was killed in a botched hijacking.
The boy was shot on the evening of Friday, May 10, when he and his father came under attack from a group of men outside their home in the Pretoria township’s Block UU. Phalane Jr died later in the hospital.
The boy had rushed outside to meet and greet his father, who had just arrived home, when the attack took place. He was laid to rest on Friday.
Joint operation
In a statement released on Tuesday morning, the elite crime busting unit’s warrant officer, Wendy Nkabi said: “The Hawks’ Pretoria-based tactical operations management section team, together with the Arcasia crime prevention unit and Tshwane District crime intelligence, have on Monday, 20 May 2024 arrested two suspects aged 29 and 30 for the murder of a five-year-old, Ditebogo Phalane.
“After receiving information, the team worked tirelessly about the whereabouts of more suspects linked to the murder of Phalane.
“Information received from Crime Intelligence was operationalized late yesterday, leading the multi-disciplinary team to Soshanguve and Atteridgeville, respectively, where two suspects were arrested and two unlicensed firearms were recovered.
“One of the firearms is alleged to be the murder weapon used in the murder of Ditebogo Phalane but that will be confirmed once the firearms have been sent for testing.
“Both suspects will make their first appearance at the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 22 May 2024. One of the suspects is believed to have been out on bail for alleged hijacking, attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm,” said Nkabi.
