Hammanskraal Spade Attack: Uncle Arrested for Triple Murder

"He Must Rot in Jail": Hammanskraal Murder Suspect's Family Breaks Silence After Spade Attack Kills Three

HAMMANSKRAAL, TSHWANE – In a tragedy that has shattered a community and a family, a 37-year-old man stands accused of murdering three people—including a 33-year-old mother and her 3-year-old son—in a brutal spade attack that has exposed layers of personal trauma and alleged systemic failure.

The suspect, whose name has not yet been released by authorities, was arrested on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, after a violent rampage in the Dilopye section of Hammanskraal. The victims have been identified as Rose Baloyi (33), her son Kelebogile Baloyi (3), and Sibusiso Langatshe (32).

A Trail of Violence: From a Child at Play to a Hijacked Getaway

According to police and community accounts, the horrifying incident began when the suspect entered a yard and found three-year-old Kelebogile playing. He allegedly attacked the child with a weapon before turning on the boy's mother, Rose, with a digging spade.

He then continued his assault, killing a third victim, Sibusiso Langatshe, who is believed to have encountered the suspect on the street. Following the killings, the man allegedly hijacked a taxi in an attempt to flee the area. He crashed the vehicle shortly after, at which point brave community members apprehended him and called the police.

Gauteng police spokeswoman Captain Tinswalo Sibeko confirmed: "Three counts of murder have been opened, and a 37-year-old man has been arrested."

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A Family Torn Apart: Niece Speaks of Threats and a Hospitalized Mother

In a raw and emotional interview, the suspect's own family has broken their silence, expressing both their horror at his actions and their fear of him.

Tshegofatso Maile (23), the suspect's niece, revealed that the violence touched their family directly. She claimed that prior to the murders, her uncle had severely assaulted her mother—his own sister—with a spade and bricks after she went to check on him.

"My uncle told my mum that when he is done with her, he will 'kill her kids and grandkids'," Tshegofatso claimed. "I will never forgive my uncle for almost killing my mum... She was badly injured and is currently being admitted at the Jubilee Hospital."

The niece, who is four months pregnant, said she also felt threatened. "He wanted to come here and kill me too," she said, describing the situation as deeply traumatizing.

Analysis: A Descent into Violence and a Plea for Context

This case is more than a random act of violence; it is a complex tragedy with several key dimensions:

1. The Trigger of Stress: The family has pointed to a potential catalyst for the rampage. Tshegofatso revealed her uncle had recently lost his job at a company in Rosslyn, Tshwane. "We think he could be acting out due to stress," she said. While this in no way excuses the crimes, it provides a critical context for understanding the suspect's potential mental state and the escalating nature of the threats that preceded the murders.
2. A Family's Duality: The family's public response is a study in conflict. On one hand, Tshegofatso's anger is palpable: "We don't want to see my uncle again. He must rot in jail." On the other, the family issued a plea for forgiveness from the community, stating, "We are pleading for forgiveness to those he wronged. We don't know why he assaulted and killed people." This highlights the impossible position of families who are both victims of and associated with a perpetrator.
3. Community Outcry Over Emergency Response: Amid the grief, there is significant community anger directed at emergency services. Social media posts and community claims suggest that the response from Temba SAPS and EMS was critically slow. One post lamented, "The child's life would be saved if Temba SAPS & EMS were efficient & arrived speedily. It took hours... ngwana a ritlha [the child was struggling] and still breathing before help arrived." This raises serious questions about resource allocation and response times in the area, contrasting with the noted speed of the Hammanskraal SAPS in making the arrest.

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A Community and a Family Left to Heal

As the suspect remains in police custody awaiting a formal court appearance, the community of Dilopye and two devastated families are left to grapple with the aftermath. The case is a stark reminder of how quickly personal crisis can escalate into public tragedy, and of the deep, lasting wounds inflicted upon the survivors, the victims' families, and even the family of the accused.