A woman accused of murdering a 5 year old boy appeared before a packed Moretele Magistrate’s Court following the fatal shooting of the child in Temba, Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria. The incident happened on Saturday and has left the local community in shock.
Neighbours said the accused, Tselane Lebogang Mautla, was allegedly testing or showing a recently acquired firearm to friends inside her yard when a shot went off. The bullet struck Obakeng Minyuku as he was walking past the house while returning from a nearby tuckshop.
Some neighbours claimed that earlier on the same day Mautla had gone to a nearby sports field where she allegedly fired shots into the air to test the gun. After realising the child had been hit, she reportedly rushed him to a local clinic, where he later died from his injuries.
Police confirmed that a case was opened at Temba police station and that Mautla, aged 38, was arrested on Sunday. Authorities said investigations are continuing, including whether the firearm involved was legally licensed.
During her court appearance, Mautla became emotional as the matter was postponed to February 4 for a formal bail application. The magistrate warned that she faces a possible 15 year prison sentence for murder or life imprisonment if the court finds that the killing was premeditated.
Obakeng’s family described him as a playful and energetic child who was excited about starting school. They said the family was devastated by the loss, adding that the community was deeply hurt by the incident and that the child’s future had been tragically cut short.
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