Nelspruit, 12 November 2025 — Thirteen suspects have appeared before the Mbibane Magistrate’s Court in connection with a brutal mob justice incident that claimed three lives in Vaalbank in 2023.

The initial eight suspects — three men and five women — were arrested by the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit on 7 November 2025 around the Bloedfontein area. They were identified as Gilbert Tlaka (58), Alidah Ramatsetse (56), Grace Mashiane (55), Fridah Komape (53), Mamsi Sambo (56), Simon Kotlolo (51), Giveness Maja (51), and George Modiba (55).

Their arrests follow a 2023 investigation into the death of an eight-year-old girl who went missing on 12 February 2023 in Bloedfontein. Her body was later discovered inside a pit toilet at the residence of three victims — Zele Machika (53), Thabo Maubane (22), and Paulinah Maubane (51) — who were later accused by community members of involvement in the child’s death.

In the early hours of 18 February 2023, at around 02:00, police responded to a distress call and found the three victims lying dead on the street with severe injuries. Both a Ford Bantam and a VW Jetta 4, later identified as belonging to Maubane, were found burnt to ashes at the scene.

In a recent development, the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit arrested five additional suspects on 11 November 2025, bringing the total number of accused to thirteen. The new suspects have been identified as Given Sambo (36), Thabiso Lekgoathi (42), Julia Boshielo (43), Dineo Sambo (33), and Mmapule Sambo (36).

All thirteen suspects have been remanded in custody and are expected to return to court on Thursday, 13 November 2025, for a formal bail application.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, commended the investigating team for their relentless pursuit of justice.

“It is unfortunate that a family lost their lives in such a barbaric act. We cannot bring them back, but we hope the community will learn that taking the law into their own hands is never the solution. Justice always prevails, and the truth eventually comes out,” said Major General Mkhwanazi.

Police have urged residents to refrain from mob justice and to allow law enforcement authorities to handle criminal investigations.