A 19-YEAR-OLD youth has been arrested for allegedly killing an 85-year-old pensioner and concealing his death by burying him in the backyard.
Rodger Mahlangu appeared in the in the Brits Magistrate's Court in North West yesterday morning and was remanded in custody until January 4 for a bail application.
He told police that he hit Sabata Mahlangu (no relation) over the head with a frying pan until he died.
The teenager was found in possession of the victim's cellphone as well as his house and gate keys. The incident happened in the village of Majakaneng near Brits.
The discovery was made by the police after concerned neighbours called them to investigate.
On Saturday police broke into the house and found nothing. The search continued until early on Sunday when they spotted a table lying upside down over the shallow grave.
Sabata had been missing for five days. He was last seen on Monday last week with groceries in hand.
Neighbour Thomas Mokotedi said: "Normally if we do not see him we would call. We tried calling his cellphone but it was answered by Rodger, who kept on saying he did not know Sabata."
Sabata moved to Majakaneng 23 years ago. His daughters still live in Dobsonville, Soweto.
"We shared good memories because we moved at almost the same time," Mokotedi said.
"We were concerned because when he goes on an errand he leaves the key with us. At one point he went to visit his children in Dobsonville for three months and he left the house key with us."
Rodger came to the house every day but was seen digging on Wednesday in full view of neighbours.
The decomposed body of Sabata was found buried in a shallow grave 10 metres from his door.
Police spokesman Mongameli Khodlo said he died on Monday. The suspect is being charged with murder and robbery.
"This boy came with the police to the house and graphically explained how he dragged my uncle from the house into the shallow grave. He had tied him to a chair," said Piet Mahlangu, the family spokesman.
Another Majakaneng resident, Philip Chauke, said the community was shocked by the murder.
"We do not have kids anymore, we are raising hooligans. How can he do such a callous act?"
Sabata was buried yesterday at Majakaneng cemetery near Brits.
Teen kills man, 85, with frying pan
A 19-YEAR-OLD youth has been arrested for allegedly killing an 85-year-old pensioner and concealing his death by burying him in the backyard.
Rodger Mahlangu appeared in the in the Brits Magistrate's Court in North West yesterday morning and was remanded in custody until January 4 for a bail application.
He told police that he hit Sabata Mahlangu (no relation) over the head with a frying pan until he died.
The teenager was found in possession of the victim's cellphone as well as his house and gate keys. The incident happened in the village of Majakaneng near Brits.
The discovery was made by the police after concerned neighbours called them to investigate.
On Saturday police broke into the house and found nothing. The search continued until early on Sunday when they spotted a table lying upside down over the shallow grave.
Sabata had been missing for five days. He was last seen on Monday last week with groceries in hand.
Neighbour Thomas Mokotedi said: "Normally if we do not see him we would call. We tried calling his cellphone but it was answered by Rodger, who kept on saying he did not know Sabata."
Sabata moved to Majakaneng 23 years ago. His daughters still live in Dobsonville, Soweto.
"We shared good memories because we moved at almost the same time," Mokotedi said.
"We were concerned because when he goes on an errand he leaves the key with us. At one point he went to visit his children in Dobsonville for three months and he left the house key with us."
Rodger came to the house every day but was seen digging on Wednesday in full view of neighbours.
The decomposed body of Sabata was found buried in a shallow grave 10 metres from his door.
Police spokesman Mongameli Khodlo said he died on Monday. The suspect is being charged with murder and robbery.
"This boy came with the police to the house and graphically explained how he dragged my uncle from the house into the shallow grave. He had tied him to a chair," said Piet Mahlangu, the family spokesman.
Another Majakaneng resident, Philip Chauke, said the community was shocked by the murder.
"We do not have kids anymore, we are raising hooligans. How can he do such a callous act?"
Sabata was buried yesterday at Majakaneng cemetery near Brits.
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