FREE STATE – A 29-year-old man, Sizwe Tsotetsi, has been arrested by Harrismith police in connection with the alleged murder of his cousin, Mbayise Elliot Radebe, following a fatal assault in Intabazwe.
The suspect was taken into custody on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, and formally charged with murder. He made his initial appearance before the Harrismith Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 23 July 2026. The case was subsequently postponed to 29 July 2026 to allow for a formal bail application process.
According to a spokesperson for the Harrismith police, preliminary investigations indicate that the incident occurred on Wednesday, 15 July 2026, at approximately 19:00. Law enforcement officers were dispatched to a reported murder at Polani Extension 4 in Intabazwe, near Harrismith.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered the body of Radebe in a bedroom. The deceased had sustained multiple injuries, including head trauma, extensive bruising, and a swollen face.
Further investigative work revealed that the suspect had allegedly assaulted the victim after accusing him of stealing personal belongings. Following the official opening of a murder case, detectives successfully traced and apprehended Tsotetsi, leading to his arrest the following week.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities prepare for the upcoming bail hearing.
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