KwaMhlanga– Three men accused of the brutal murder of a respected local teacher, Sam Thabiso Maimela (60), appeared before the KwaMhlanga Magistrate Court on 05 August.
The suspects, aged 23, 29 and 34, face serious charges of premeditated murder, kidnapping and carjacking.
The case was postponed to 04 September 2025 as police await post-mortem results to strengthen their case.
Maimela, a former mathematics teacher at Vulamehlo Secondary School in Vlaklaagte No. 1, was kidnapped at the gate of his home in Tweefontein D around 11p.m. on 20 June 2025.
The next day, his car was found abandoned in KwaMhlanga. On 25 June, his body was discovered in a remote area near Gemsbokspruit.
The three suspects were arrested the same day.
The accused rejected bail during their previous court appearance on 3 July but still have the right to apply again, as they remain in custody.
Outside the court, members of the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) from the Phumula branch held a peaceful picket.
Holding up placards and chanting for justice, they called for harsh punishment for the men accused of taking the life of their colleague. “We still stand, we want justice for Mr. Maimela, No bail must be granted for the suspects,” said acting principal at Vulamehlo Senior Phase School, Bathabile Tshabangu.
Maimela’s murder has left a deep wound in the school and the Vlaklaagte community.
The story was updated at 11am on 06 August 2025. We erroneously stated Bathabile’s surname as Mahlangu instead of Tshabangu.
