Teen dies after sjambok beating
2006-03-26 21:08
Bloemfontein - A Free State teenager died in hospital on Saturday after he was repeatedly assaulted by five men, police said.
Thabiso Mathys, 16, of Hlohlolwane near Clocolan, died after being beaten on three separate occasions last week, said superintendent Motarafi Ntepe on Sunday.
On Wednesday, the five allegedly assaulted him at a river in Hlohlolwane with sjamboks and knobkerries.
Ntepe said one of the suspects, the owner of a local tavern, suspected Mathys had stolen money from his business about two months previously.
"When the tavern owner noticed the seriousness of the injuries on the boy, he took him to the local hospital... and reported to the police." Ntepe said.
All five men, aged between 24 and 48 and including the tavern owner, were arrested and charged with murder. They are due to appear in Clocolan magistrate's court on Monday.
- SAPA