Two 18-year-old suspects, Katlego Mokoena and Lungelo Sithole, appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 03 November 2025, facing a charge of murder following the fatal stabbing of 19-year-old Lusanda Mathabela.
The tragic incident occurred at a residence in Mattafin, Nelspruit. According to police reports, authorities responded to a complaint of a residential burglary. Upon their arrival, they discovered that members of the Public Order Policing (POP) Unit were already on the scene. Inside the house, they found the young victim, Lusanda Mathabela, lying in a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds. Emergency Medical Services pronounced her dead at the scene.
Preliminary police investigations indicate that the two suspects gained entry to the property by jumping over the wall. At the time, there was construction work underway on the premises. It is alleged that the suspects encountered the victim inside the house. When she screamed, one of the suspects allegedly stabbed her.
Nearby construction workers heard the commotion and alerted the homeowner, who is the victim’s father. While rushing home, the father met the members of the POP Unit, explained the situation, and the officers immediately responded. The two suspects were subsequently cornered and arrested at the scene.
Police sources also revealed that one of the suspects was allegedly a former male friend of the deceased victim.
The case has been postponed to 12 November 2025 for a formal bail application. Both suspects remain in custody. In a poignant development, it was confirmed that one of the accused is a Grade 12 learner who is scheduled to write an examination on Thursday, 06 November 2025, while in custody.
