A mother’s heart is bleeding after her son was stabbed and killed in cold blood. Silas Kimba Mahlaba (20), a matric learner from Thuto Lore Engineering School of Specialisation, was killed for defending his mother’s honour.

According to Alina Puleng Mahlaba (39), she and her son were on the way to the local shops to get change on October 29 when they came across a drunk local church caretaker who started hurling insults at her.

“It was not the first time the man swore at me, so I didn’t take him seriously. But this time, he picked up a brick and hit me with it. When my son tried to ask him why he was insulting me, and why he had hit me with a brick, he took out a knife and stabbed my son once in the chest.”

Alina says that her son went back home but collapsed in front of a neighbour’s yard.

“Our neighbours assisted, and we rushed him to the local clinic. They worked on him, trying to save his life. They called an ambulance to take him to Sebokeng Hospital.”

Alina says that while in the ambulance, her son’s condition deteriorated.

“He kept telling me that he was dying. The dress that I wore that day was drenched in my son’s blood. I have never seen so much blood in my life. He died just as we reached the hospital’s entrance.”

Alina says what hurts the most is that her son had a bright future ahead of him. The family described Kimba as a respectful child who loved peace.

“Kimba loved school more than anything. He didn’t let his background demotivate him; he worked hard and always said that he would change this family’s situation.

“We are shattered. We had high hopes for our boy. He had been studying so hard for his matric exams. He had dreams and aspirations, and now all of that is gone.”

The family said that they would like to see justice served for the senseless loss of life.

After the incident, community members handed the man in his 50s over to the Sharpeville police. Police spokesperson Sergeant Busisiwe Motsoeneng confirmed the incident, citing that a murder investigation is underway.