'Better dead than starving'
2004-07-26 17:51
Bushbuckridge - A 17-year-old teenager accused of slitting his younger brother's throat, apparently in a desperate attempt to save him from hunger, has appeared briefly in court.
The boy, who can't be named because he's a minor, was not asked to plead to a murder charge when he appeared in Bushbuckridge magistrate's court in Limpopo.
He was remanded in custody until August 5.
His explanation to police shortly after his arrest was that he was trying to save his 14-year-old brother from starvation.
"His explanation to us was that they always went without food at home because their mother left a few months ago and their father wasn't looking after them," said captain Moatshe Ngoepe of Mopani police.
He said the teenager went to collect his younger brother from class at Mathulani primary school at Kga-Motibidi near Bushbuckridge, saying he was needed for a family matter.
Teachers grew concerned when the boy failed to return later in the day and went to investigate.
The father told teachers the older boy had been complaining over the lack of food and had threatened to commit suicide.
Found boy trying to cut own neck
The teachers alerted police and, with the help of the community, traced the boys to nearby mountains.
They found the older boy trying to cut his own neck with a butcher knife.
He told police their father had failed to support them and that they went for days without food.
"He said it would be better if they were both dead," said Ngoepe.
He led police to his brother's body higher up the mountain.
Social workers have been asked to file a report about the family's background to be used when the trial begins.