The community of Mattafin, near Nelspruit, is reeling in shock and heartbreak following the tragic murder of 19-year-old Lusanda Mathabela, a young woman described by friends and neighbours as “kind-hearted and full of dreams.”

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), two suspects, identified as Katlego Mokoena (18) and Lungelo Sithole (18), have been arrested and charged in connection with her death. The pair appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 03 November 2025, and the case has been postponed to 12 November for a formal bail application.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane confirmed that officers responded to a complaint of a house burglary at Mattafin. When they arrived, members of the Public Order Policing (POP) Unit were already on the scene.

Officers discovered the young woman lying in a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects jumped over the wall to gain entry into the property, where construction work was underway. It is believed that when Lusanda saw them and screamed for help, one of the suspects stabbed her.

Construction workers nearby heard the commotion and quickly called the victim’s father, who rushed home. On his way, he met police officers who immediately responded and managed to corner and arrest both suspects.

It is further alleged that one of the suspects was a former friend of the victim. One of the accused is also a Grade 12 learner, who is expected to write his final examination while in custody.

In a deeply emotional message, her father described Lusanda as:

“A light in my life — my joy, my laughter, my reason to keep going.”

He spoke of his sorrow, regret, and enduring love for his daughter, vowing never to let her memory fade or her death be in vain.

The Mathabela family expressed heartfelt gratitude to all who have reached out with messages of love, support, and prayers during this devastating time.

“Lusanda Mathabela will not be reduced to a statistic. Her life mattered, and there will be justice for her. We stand firmly against all forms of Gender-Based Violence,” the family stated.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, has strongly condemned the senseless killing and praised the quick response of law enforcement.

“It is shocking that such a young girl, with a bright future ahead, was killed in such a brutal manner. We thank the construction workers for alerting the family. The suspects will face the full might of the law,” said Major General Mkhwanazi.

Lusanda’s death has sparked widespread grief across the province, with residents calling for justice and greater protection for young women. Community members gathered outside the court during the suspects’ first appearance, holding placards that read “Justice for Lusanda” and “Enough is enough.”

For many, Lusanda was more than a statistic—she was a daughter, a friend, and a young woman who had her whole life ahead of her. Her story has become a painful reminder of the continued violence faced by women and girls across South Africa.