Two suspects have been 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 Friday night when he and his father came under attack from a group of men outside their home in 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.
The brutal killing of Phalane Jr sent shock waves across the country, and a massive manhunt was launched for the suspects.
The police said on Thursday that they had worked tirelessly to make a breakthrough in the murder case. The police added that the hunt continues for more suspects.
Suspects cornered in Soshanguve
“The investigation has led the team to specific addresses in Soshanguve, where we arrested two suspects in different locations,” Gauteng police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni, said on Thursday morning.
“In one of the locations, the suspect was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm, and in another location, we also found the suspect, who was not too far from the crime scene and also had an unlicensed firearm.
“This firearm was linked to another hijacking that took place in Akasia.”
On Monday, City of Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink, along with DA Gauteng premier candidate Solly Msimang, visited the Phalane family to pay their respects.
The day before, the distraught family welcomed EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi and ActionSA Gauteng premier candidate Funzi Ngobeni, who offered their condolences.
R250 000 reward
Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie took to the X platform on Sunday and offered a R250 000 reward to anyone who has information that would lead to the arrest of the suspects.
“I will be giving a R250 000 reward to anyone with information about the guilty party. Please DM me personally here on Twitter. We must find them. I know someone knows who is responsible,” wrote McKenzie.
Bheki Cele, the Minister of Police, and national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola, were next on the list of politicians and government officials who visited the family.
They later hosted a crime-prevention imbizo in Soshanguve on Tuesday afternoon.
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