A 21-year-old Welbedacht man was allegedly stabbed to death, during a recent altercation, by a man believed to be his friend. It is alleged that the community later burnt down the home of the accused’s brothers and attacked them during a mob justice incident.
Mduduzi Mbheki, also known as ‘Que’, grew up in the area and lived on Tommy Singh Way in a one-bedroom home built with tin. Mbheki, who was the eldest of three siblings, was laid to rest at a farm on Saturday, 22 October. Shaida Ali, Mbheki’s landlady, said that he grew up in front of her and she took him as her son. “On Saturday, 8 October, he was with the accused in the area, selling mangos in order to generate an income. After they sold all the mangos, Que came home and had a bath. I gave him money to get something for me from the shop and he went with the accused as they were splitting the income that they generated. I waited for Que but he never returned.
“After a while, I heard some commotion and went to investigate. It is alleged that the accused was having a heated argument with his wife when Que asked him to stop. It is also alleged that the accused’s two brothers pinned Que down while the accused stabbed him to death. The accused fled but the two brothers were attacked by a mob. We are unsure of their medical conditions and their home was also burnt down,” Ali said. She described the deceased as a wonderful, caring and loving child. “He was a fun and rowdy kid who loved to play with the neighbourhood children. He would gather all of them and push them in trolleys and prams to entertain them. I brought him up from the time he was six years old and he will be greatly missed by everyone in our community,” Ali concluded. Captain Cheryl Pillay, communications officer of Chatsworth SAPS, said: “On 8 October, an altercation occurred in Welbedacht East where a victim, 21 years of age, was fatally stabbed. It is alleged that a house was burnt by community members. One suspect (45) was arrested thereafter and appeared at the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on 10 October. Chatsworth SAPS are investigating a case of murder with investigations continuing.”
