Two of the children were the suspect’s ex-girlfriend’s children, and the other two were her nephews. He took them to the field on Tuesday, 18 January, and tied three of the four children to trees. The fourth child escaped while the suspect was tying up another child.

According to eNCA, the escaped child begged for help and got someone to contact SAPS on his behalf. The police found the three children and found that two had been strangled to death and one required hospitalization.

Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo, a spokesperson for Gauteng SAPS, said that once the escaped boy’s neighbour contacted the police, they immediately travelled to the scene. Masondo added that the deceased boys were seven and 11 years old, News24 reports.

According to Masondo,”The suspect, who has been on the run since the incident, was traced and arrested by the police in Johannesburg on Wednesday”. On Friday, 21 December, the accused will have his first court appearance on four serious charges. The evidence against him is forceful, as is the feeling among citizens who are outraged by all aspects of the case.

South Africans react to Boipatong murder case

@Ma_LoJ remarked: “I’m sad the community didn’t finish him off.”

@DizzyBlond5 asked: “What is wrong with men?”

@lourensvandijk said: “It isn’t a good look.”

@ZulekhaHassim1 shared: “Killing these children is robbing SA of its youth, who are our future investment. I pray for the families of those boys. May their souls RIP.”