Family Speaks Out After 5-Year-Old Son Killed in Heartbreaking Hijacking Incident

Family Speaks Out After 5-Year-Old Son Killed in Heartbreaking Hijacking Incident

In a tragic turn of events, a family in Soshanguve, north of Tshwane, is mourning the loss of their beloved five-year-old son, Ditebogo Junior Phalane, following a violent hijacking.

On Friday, 10 May, Ditebogo Phalane, the father of the young boy, experienced an ambush that would forever change his family’s life.

Ditebogo was returning home after a day filled with errands, driving his white Hillux bakkie. As he approached his house, he parked the vehicle at the gate, unaware of the danger lurking nearby.

Within moments, a group of armed thugs emerged, taking him by surprise. The hijackers pointed a gun at him, demanding his vehicle. It was at this heart-wrenching moment that Ditebogo Junior, excited to see his father, ran out of the house to greet him.

Gift Makoti, the family spokesman and Ditebogo’s cousin, recounted the horrifying details of the incident. “The boy came out of the house running to greet his father to welcome him back home, and that’s when he was shot,” Makoti said. The hijackers, in a reckless act of violence, opened fire, with one of the bullets tragically hitting the young boy.

Makoti further explained, “One of the thugs on the left side of the vehicle started shooting, and unfortunately, one of the bullets hit the boy. Two of the robbers were armed, but we cannot confirm the exact number of robbers involved. We just know that it was no less than three of them.”

The family believes the hijackers had been lying in wait for Ditebogo, rather than following him. Makoti confirmed that the father had been vigilant while driving home, and there was no indication of being followed.

“There was no one next to him at the time, but within a few seconds, people were there,” he said. It appeared the thugs had strategically positioned themselves, ready to strike as soon as Ditebogo arrived.

The hijackers quickly made off with Ditebogo’s bakkie, disappearing into the night. The family has yet to receive any updates regarding the recovery of the vehicle, which they hope might provide some closure if it leads to the capture of the perpetrators.

The aftermath of the incident has left the family shattered. Makoti described the emotional toll on Ditebogo and his wife as unbearable. “The father is not doing well, and both he and the mother are inconsolable,” he said, highlighting the deep grief and trauma the family is enduring.

This senseless act of violence has not only claimed the life of a young boy but also highlighted the broader issue of rampant crime in the area. “The crime here is rife. There are hijackings, robberies, and kidnappings,” Makoti stated, emphasizing the pervasive danger that residents face daily.

Gauteng police spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo, provided a brief update on the investigation. “No arrests have been made yet. The police are still searching for the suspects,” he said. The community remains hopeful that justice will be served, and the culprits will be apprehended soon.

In the wake of this tragedy, the Phalane family has received an outpouring of support from the local community. Friends, neighbors, and even strangers have reached out to offer their condolences and support. Many have called for increased police presence and measures to curb the rising crime rates in Soshanguve.

The story of Ditebogo Junior’s tragic death has resonated deeply with many, drawing attention to the devastating impact of crime on innocent lives. As the family navigates through their grief, they also become part of a larger narrative of community resilience and the urgent need for safety reforms.

The coming days will undoubtedly be filled with sorrow and remembrance for the Phalane family. As they lay their beloved son to rest, they carry the weight of an unimaginable loss, hoping for a future where such tragedies become a rarity rather than a painful reality.