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Itumeleng Khune and her sister, Mapula Khune, who suffered unrecognizable burns.
- Northwest police charged a 17-year-old with the murder of Mapula “Meiki” Khune, whose charred remains were discovered in Tshing.
- The teenager is expected to appear in Ventersdorp Juvenile Court.
- The assault cases were opened after residents suspected of committing the crime were persecuted by members of the community.
A 17-year-old suspect has been charged with the murder of Mapula “Meiki” Khune, the sister of soccer star Itumeleng Khune.
The teen was charged on Friday and is expected to appear in Ventersdorp Juvenile Court on Monday, police spokesman Col. Adéle Myburgh said.
“His appearance in the Juvenile Court is as prescribed by the Juvenile Justice Law (Law 75 of 2008). It is alleged that on Thursday, March 4, 2021, at approximately 05:00 hours, the neighbors saw smoke coming out of a house in Extension 2, Tshing, Ventersdorp. Emergency services [officials] They were called who, after forcing entry into a back room, discovered Khune’s severely burned body on his bed. “
Police initially opened an investigation file, but are now investigating a murder after more information was obtained, according to Myburgh.
Khune’s death on Thursday sent shockwaves through the Tshing community. The 27-year-old was sleeping in a back room, next to her grandmother’s main house, when the incident occurred.
Community clashes
His body was burned beyond recognition. Only the back room was destroyed by fire.
Since then, police have been cracking down on fighting in the community as residents suspected of committing the crime were hunted down and assaulted, Myburgh said.
“Additional cases of assault with the intent to cause serious bodily harm have been reported since Friday, as community street patrollers and family members have allegedly been assaulting the alleged perpetrators of Khune’s murder.”
Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Seal Kwena commended the police for their quick response and for securing the arrest of the alleged perpetrator within one day of the murder.
Itumeleng Khune, who plays for Kaizer Chiefs Football Club, missed the CAF championship match on Saturday at the FNB Stadium. He took compassionate leave to be with his family.
