HENDRINA – The 27-year-old man arrested in connection with a brutal farm attack that occurred outside the town between November 28 and 29, 2024, remains in custody following his latest court appearance.
Malibongwe Shibiti faces several charges, including robbery with aggravating circumstances, rape, murder, assault, and kidnapping.
Shibiti’s arrest follows the fatal attack of a 46-year-old man and the rape of the victim’s 80-year-old mother inside a vehicle on the premises.
The deceased’s father was forced into the boot of a car, allegedly by Shibiti.
At the time of the accused’s arrest, police said one of the victims’ bank cards had been used to withdraw R5 000 at a petrol station in Bethal.
“The suspect was reportedly driving the rape victim’s vehicle, which he later abandoned in eMbalenhle, leaving her inside, after noticing a passing police vehicle,” said Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane at the time.
At around 21:30 on June 11, acting on a tip-off regarding the suspect’s whereabouts, police arrested Shibiti in the Marikana section of eMbalenhle near Secunda.
Police said he was found in possession of property belonging to the deceased.
Shibiti appeared in the Hendrina Magistrate’s Court on June 13 and has remained in custody since abandoning his bail application.
He is scheduled to appear in court again today.
*This article has been amended since it was first published.
