Friday, October 17, 2025 - The Temba Magistrate's Court
in Hammanskraal, South Africa has denied releasing a 37-year-old man on bail
after he appeared in court for the brutal m8rder of three family members using
a spade.
Romeo Moshe Shibambu from Suurman is facing a series of
serious charges, including three counts of m8rder and two counts of attempted
m8rder, alongside one count of malicious property damage.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka
Mahanjana, said on the day of the incident on September 28, 2025,
Shibambu's sister visited him at his home.
During her visit, she noticed a garden spade nearby and,
when questioning him about it, he ominously responded that he "felt like
fighting" and would “win the fight.”
This encounter quickly escalated with Shibambu allegedly
attacking his sister with the spade, forcing her to flee the scene.
Mahanjana said two days later, Shibambu was seen carrying
the same spade, walking to a local shop to demand his R350 from the shop owner.
On his way, he encountered a group of children playing at a
neighbour's house and allegedly began to assault three-year-old Kelebogile Neo
Gift Baloyi. Tragically, the child succumbed to the severe injuries inflicted
by the spade.
As chaos unfolded, Kelebogile's mother, 33-year-old Rose
Baloyi, attempted to intervene and seek help but was struck by Shibambu and
fainted.
Her efforts would ultimately lead to her demise, as the
accused continued his onslaught, resulting in a second fatality.
The violence escalated further when Kelebogile's father,
Sibusiso Langatshe Baloyi, who rushed to defend his family, was also k!lled in
the attack.
Witnesses included a brave taxi driver who sought to
intervene—a decision that placed him in harm’s way. He too became a victim of
the frenzied assault, only narrowly escaping with his life.
Mahanjana said Shibambu allegedly drove off in the taxi,
dragging the driver along until the vehicle came to a halt.
Local residents managed to apprehend him shortly afterward,
leading to his arrest. The injured taxi driver received medical treatment for
his injuries.
In court, Shibambu chose to represent himself. He applied
for bail, insisting that he required time to prepare for his trial.
However, prosecutor Sharon Nkandimeng opposed this request,
presenting compelling testimony from investigating officer Constable Phalane of
the Serious and Violent Crime Unit.
"Constable Phalane testified that the accused was a
flight risk and a danger to both the community and himself, as he had allegedly
expressed that he wanted to commit suicide because his job was done," said
Mahanjana.
Meanwhile, the presiding Magistrate concluded that it was
not in the interests of justice to grant Shibambu bail, stating that the
severity of the charges and the circumstances surrounding the crimes justified
the decision to keep him in custody.
The matter was postponed to November 27, 2025, for further investigation.
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