BOIPATONG. – He was on his way coming from a tavern in the early hours of the morning when he pounced on ATM bombers who shot and killed him.
Siyabonga Mollo’s tragedy happened in Boipatong on a Wednesday, May 01, when a group of heavily armed robbers were sweeping the streets with riffles before they blew up two ATMs at a local Pick N Pay.
Sedibeng Ster visited the scene of crime where the rattled Pick N Pay was being cleaned up by staffers.
Following the drive around in section 1, Ster team went to Mollo’s home where his mother, Nombulelo Yeko, who lied on the mattress openly shared how she knew that her son was killed.
“I last saw my son around 19:00 when I came back home. He asked me to buy him coke, and that was the last time I saw him. Around 3:00 am, police knocked on my door and asked me to go identify if the man killed was my son,” she said.
Yeko said police had told her that the victim whose body was found in a pool of blood was killed by armed robbers who randomly shot during the robbery to instil fear.
“When I got to the scene, I saw a body covered in foil, when they [police] unveiled the cover, all I remember seeing was my son’s lifeless body covered in blood near a wrecked shop,” she said.
Yeko said she will always remember her son as a humble and proactive person.
“My son loved nothing but going out. He loved dancing, I know many knew him for that. In our household, he was a very helpful person who loved cooking, cleaning and doing house chores,” said the grieving mom.
Yeko said she hopes for justice for her murdered son.
An eyewitness, who’s name is kept for safe detailed the harrowing incident as it played out.
“We were also coming from a local tavern when the ATM bombing took place. We were in a large group as the tavern had closed, Siyabonga was walking with another group. As we approached the Pick N Pay, we had gunshots, as we were trying to run away, Siyabonga fell in front of me,” he said.
“I tried to pick him up and help him run, all I recall was seeing bullet holes on his chest. As helpless as I was, my efforts of resuscitating him didn’t materials, so I left him on the ground and ran for cover as the armed gang continued to shoot,” said the eyewitness.
Police spokeswoman Sergeant Thembeka Maxambela confirmed the incident.
“We are investigating a murder case. At this stage, no one was arrested, however investigations are underway,” she said.
