Teen in court for allegedly killing his 3-year-old brother with rat poison
Teen in court for allegedly killing his 3-year-old brother with rat poison! A tragic case has shocked the community of Orange Farm, Johannesburg, as an 18-year-old boy appeared in the Vereeniging Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday in connection with the murder of his three-year-old brother.
The teenager is accused of poisoning his younger sibling and was arrested after allegedly confessing to the crime. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, confirmed that the horrific incident took place on January 31, 2025.
Details of the Incident
According to Mahanjana, the children’s mother was at home with the accused and her other two sons, aged 16 and 22, when she noticed that her youngest son was missing.
Initially, she assumed he was playing at a neighbor’s house and did not raise an immediate alarm. However, as the hours passed, her concern grew.
“By 1 PM, when the child had still not returned, she started searching for him,” Mahanjana said.
At around 4 PM, the 16-year-old brother went to a nearby veld near the N1 highway to feed his goats. To his horror, he saw his older brother carrying the child’s lifeless body and placing it inside a dustbin.
“After confronting him, the brother took the dustbin containing the child’s body to their home and informed their mother. Emergency services were called, and the child was declared dead at the scene,” Mahanjana added.
Teen Confesses to Murder
The following day, the 18-year-old suspect handed himself over to the police. He allegedly confessed to poisoning his three-year-old brother using rat poison.
His court appearance was brief, and the case has been postponed to February 13, 2025, for a formal bail application.
Authorities are expected to oppose bail, given the gruesome nature of the crime and the fact that the suspect admitted to premeditated murder.
Second Tragedy: Father Arrested for Murder of 17-Month-Old Daughter
In a separate but equally disturbing case, a 22-year-old father from Ermelo, Mpumalanga, has been arrested and charged with the murder of his 17-month-old daughter.
According to Provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the suspect brought his injured child to the hospital in the early hours of December 30, 2024.
He claimed that the baby had fallen off a bed, causing her injuries. However, medical staff quickly grew suspicious after examining the child.
“The hospital staff contacted the police to report that the girl had suffered injuries, which were of a suspicious nature,” Ndubane stated.
Doctors discovered that the toddler had multiple bruises all over her body and, more alarmingly, showed signs of strangulation.
Upon this discovery, medical staff alerted the police, who launched an immediate investigation.
Father’s Arrest and Prior Charges
On the same day, the child’s father was arrested—not for the murder at first, but for an unrelated case. However, as evidence mounted against him, authorities linked him to his daughter’s death, and he has remained in custody ever since.
Investigators are now gathering more forensic evidence before he formally appears in court on charges of murder and child abuse.
Growing Concerns Over Child Abuse in South Africa
These two harrowing cases highlight the ongoing crisis of child abuse and domestic violence in South Africa.
According to child rights organizations, South Africa has one of the highest child murder rates in the world, with many cases involving parents or close family members.
Authorities and advocacy groups are calling for stricter measures to protect vulnerable children from violence and neglect.
Both cases have sparked national outrage, with many South Africans questioning what drives individuals to commit such heinous acts against their own children.
What Happens Next?
- The 18-year-old suspect will return to Vereeniging Magistrates’ Court on February 13, 2025, for his bail application.
- The 22-year-old father will remain in custody as authorities finalize charges against him.
As investigations continue, the nation mourns the loss of two innocent young lives—victims of senseless violence at the hands of their own family members.
