The trial of Sandile Mbatha, a primary school teacher accused of the brutal murder of two Soweto boys, continued in the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday, 12 November, with the accused vehemently denying any involvement in the deaths of Tshidiso Ramatlo and Katleho Letseli. The two boys were allegedly killed after being caught stealing VW Polo lights in a violent confrontation involving Mbatha and his friends.
On Tuesday, Mbatha, who has been labelled by the families of the victims as a “teacher by day, murderer by night,” faced tough cross-examination from the defence team. A key witness, Sfiso Nhlapho, had testified earlier in the trial, recounting the violent events that led to the boys’ deaths. Nhlapho claimed that Mbatha was armed with both a gun and a knife when he emerged from a nearby tavern, where he allegedly assaulted the boys. Nhlapho described how Katleho was dragged from the car, stabbed, and left bleeding, while he himself was assaulted and forced to sit on the ground. Nhlapho also recalled how Mbatha attempted to run over Katleho with his car, but the vehicle was unable to gain enough power to do so.
In response, Mbatha’s defence counsel, Advocate Simane, questioned Nhlapho’s testimony, particularly about the accused’s possession of weapons during the attack. Nhlapho stood by his statement, affirming that Mbatha was indeed armed at the time of the assault. However, through his advocate, Mbatha denied all allegations, including the claim that he transported the boys’ lifeless bodies to the veld, where their remains were later discovered.
The trial, which has captivated the attention of the local community, is set to continue with a second witness expected to take the stand on Thursday, 14 November. As the case unfolds, the families of Tshidiso and Katleho continue to seek justice for the senseless deaths of their loved ones.
