The family of 25-year-old Mahao Mofokeng is devasta­ted following his tragic death at the hands of unknown robbers in Palm Springs, Vereeniging.

Mahao was stabbed and killed on Friday, allegedly because he did not have a phone in his possession.

According to reports, Mofokeng was walking with his friends when they were approached by three armed suspects who robbed them of their money and phones. Mofokeng’s friends believe he was targeted and stabbed because he only took out his bank card, as he had no money or a cellphone to give to the robbers.

The victim’s mother, Mapule, expressed deep sadness over the incident. She mentioned that her son lived with his father and would visit her on weekends. She did not see him on Friday, but was alerted to the tragedy and rushed to the scene – only to find her son’s lifeless body lying in a pool of blood.

The incident occurred just a few meters away from their home, adding to the family’s anguish. The mother calls for justice to be served and questioned why the robbers did not just take her son’s bank card and spare his life.

Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirms that a murder case docket has been opened, and that the police are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.