Suurman triple murder suspect Romeo Moshe Shibambu at the Temba Magistrates Court
By Pastor Lesiba Kgwele
South African Union Council of Independent Churches Convener
The South African Union Council of Independent Churches on Friday applauded no bail granted to Suurman triple murder suspect Romeo Moshe Shibambu by the Temba Magistrates Court who had allegedly hacked three family members to death using a spade.
The 37-year-old accused facing two counts of attempted murder, and one count of malicious property damage was remanded in police custody when he appeared in court on Thursday.
“We wish to condemn in the strongest terms possible the senseless violent attack on the Baloyi family as well as other community members that has left communities across the nation reeling with shock.
Such callous as well as vicious cruelty that started with an unprovoked attack on three-year-old three-year-old Kelebogile Neo Gift Baloyi represents barbarism that has no place in our society,” remarked SAUCIC President, Cardinal Arch Bishop, Dr Modiri Patrick Shole.
Cardinal pointed out that the use of a spade in the commission of the deadly triple murder that has left a trail of misery is a stark reminder of the monstrous incident in which a 25-year-old hacked son hacked his own mother (48) to death using a similar murder weapon in Mosiane View Village outside Mahikeng.
Shole said that Kelebogile’s parents, Rose (33) and Sibusiso Langatshe Baloyi (42) who tried to intervene died at the hands of a blood thirsty monster who had no regards for the sanctity of human life.
The mother was hacked after she fell and fainted.
Families are under unprecedented attack due to mental health issues that find expression through senseless violence hence prayer and counselling are required in addition to dealing with trauma within our communities, he emphasised.
Shole mentioned that the threat of violence even within families must not be taken lightly as its devastating escalation results in untold misery.
The attack on the Baloyi family which occurred on the 30 September 2025 would have been averted had the assault on Shibambu’s sister alleged to have taken place two days prior on the 28 September 2025 been reported to police for him to be apprehended, he maintained.
According to police, a taxi driver who witnessed the attack tried to intervene, however, the accused allegedly assaulted him with the spade, got into the taxi, and drove off while dragging the taxi driver from outside the taxi until he could not drive any further.
He was apprehended by community members as soon as he got out of the taxi and the police were called to the scene whereupon the injured taxi driver was taken to the hospital for medical treatment, and the accused was arrested.
Shole commended the community for effecting a citizens’ arrest and urged men to seek professional help whenever they are experiencing pressure in their relationships and personal lives instead of taking matters into their own hands.
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