On Wednesday (18 August 2021), Sam Junior Mbatha’s family issued a statement, thanking the SAPS for their continued efforts in the case.
According to the statement, four suspects have been arrested. On 13 August 2021, three of the accused were granted bail of R500 each.
“The main suspect (Accused No. 4) is still behind bars as he has abandoned his ball application.
“The next court date is 2 September 2021 at the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court.”
The police’s evidence indicates that Sam Junior Mbatha was murdered and placed in the boot of his car, which was subsequently set alight. The family is still awaiting DNA results from the SAPS forensics department to proceed with the necessary arrangements and finalise the process.
The additional arrests come after a burnt-out car with the body of a man in the boot was found in Klipgat, 40 km northwest of Pretoria on 17 June 2021. The vehicle belonged to Sam Mbatha, a North-West University (NWU) staff member who works as a social media officer at the Mahikeng Campus.
The police arrested two suspects shortly after the investigation started.
“We wish to encourage and request friends, the LGBTQI community, the general public and media houses to support us in advocating for justice for our beloved Sam,” the family’s statement reads.They also urged the public to continue praying for Sam’s family and friends and hope justice will be served.
“We hope you will continue to fight and declare that Queer Lives Matter,” the statement concluded.