Western Cape police have dismissed claims that 19-year-old Nhlamulo Sambo was killed during anti-immigration protests in Mossel Bay, saying preliminary investigations point to a different motive.
Sambo, who was originally from Giyani in Limpopo, was stabbed to death in KwaNonqaba, Mossel Bay, on 31 May. Initial reports and statements from family members suggested that he had been targeted for speaking Xitsonga during unrest linked to anti-immigration sentiments in the area.
His sister, Nonhlanhla Sambo, alleged on social media that her brother was attacked because he was Tsonga and living in a predominantly Xhosa-speaking community. His mother, Nkateko Sambo, also claimed that he had been mistaken for a foreign national despite being a South African citizen.
However, Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile said preliminary investigations have revealed a different version of events. According to police, a 15-year-old who was with Sambo told investigators that the pair had entered a shack intending to take goods. The shack owner allegedly arrived, confronted them, chased Sambo, and fatally stabbed him.
Police have confirmed that a murder case is under investigation and that the suspect is being sought.
The developments have sparked mixed reactions online. While some social media users have welcomed the police’s account and urged the public to wait for the outcome of the investigation, others have questioned the findings and continue to call for a thorough probe into the circumstances surrounding Sambo’s death.
Meanwhile, EFF Member of Parliament, Naledi Chirwa, has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa and law enforcement authorities to take the necessary steps to establish the full truth behind the killing. Chirwa said all allegations surrounding the incident must be properly investigated to ensure accountability and justice for Sambo and his family.
As investigations continue, Sambo’s family is still seeking answers, while authorities work to determine the exact circumstances that led to the teenager’s death.
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