OPINION

"Deadly beating over broken stove!" - Daily Sun

The front page and lead story of SA's largest daily newspaper, January 13 2014

Daily Sun (January 13 2014) - Makhosana Kasi (16) from Emndeni in Soweto was in extension 3, Dobsonville, with his friend, Mweli Sibaya (16). Makhosana and Mweli left Mweli's house on Friday evening at about 6pm to go to a night vigil that lasted until the early hours of Saturday morning.

As they were walking, they came across a broken, abandoned two-plate stove. Perhaps they thought it could be sold, perhaps they thought it could be repaired - but they picked it up and carried it with them.

It was a decision that cost Makhosana his life and put Mweli in hospital.

It is alleged that at about 1am two men, one an off-duty Metro cop and the other his friend, stopped the two boys because they suspected they had stolen the small stove.

The men allegedly made the boys lay down on the road and assaulted them repeatedly.

Makhosana's sister, Phumzile Kasi, told Daily Sun her brother died at the scene at about 4am.

The last time she saw him alive was on Friday night.

The next time the family heard anything was when they were alerted at about 6am about the death of the teenager.

Makhosana, a Grade 10 pupil at the Dr BW Vilakazi School, was described as a good child who loved people.

"He was always willing to run household errands and to help people," said his other sister, Lindi Kasi.

"What really hurts me is that even if suspects are arrested, their families can still visit them in jail - but we will never see our brother again."

She said she wanted justice.

"I want justice to be served. My brother is not the first one to die because of law enforcement members who do just what they want to," she said.

Makhosana's friend was taken to the Baragwanath hospital, but has since been released.

Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela said two men, aged 30 and 38, were arrested and will appear in the Protea Magistrates Court today to face charges of assault and murder.

See the Daily Sun mobi site for more on this and other stories....

 

The Daily Sun is South Africa's largest daily newspaper with an average circulation of 291,132 (Audit Bureau of Circulations 3rd Quarter 2013) and a readership of 5.7m (as per AMPS 2012ab). Its Facebook page can be accessed here. It can be followed on Twitter here. To find about advertising on the Daily Sun click here.

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