The Temba Magistrate’s Court in Hammanskraal has denied releasing a 37-year-old man on bail after he appeared in court for the brutal murder of three family members using a spade.
Romeo Moshe Shibambu from Suurman is facing a series of serious charges, including three counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder, alongside one count of malicious property damage.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, said on the day of the incident on September 28, 2025, Shibambu’s sister visited him at his home. During her visit, she noticed a garden spade nearby and, when questioning him about it, he ominously responded that he “felt like fighting” and would “win the fight.”
This encounter quickly escalated with Shibambu allegedly attacking his sister with the spade, forcing her to flee the scene.
Mahanjana said two days later, Shibambu was seen carrying the same spade, walking to a local shop to demand his R350 from the shop owner. On his way, he encountered a group of children playing at a neighbour’s house and allegedly began to assault three-year-old Kelebogile Neo Gift Baloyi. Tragically, the child succumbed to the severe injuries inflicted by the spade.
As chaos unfolded, Kelebogile’s mother, 33-year-old Rose Baloyi, attempted to intervene and seek help but was struck by Shibambu and fainted. Her efforts would ultimately lead to her demise, as the accused continued his onslaught, resulting in a second fatality. The violence escalated further when Kelebogile’s father, Sibusiso Langatshe Baloyi, who rushed to defend his family, was also killed in the attack.
Witnesses included a brave taxi driver who sought to intervene—a decision that placed him in harm’s way. He too became a victim of the frenzied assault, only narrowly escaping with his life. Mahanjana said Shibambu allegedly drove off in the taxi, dragging the driver along until the vehicle came to a halt. Local residents managed to apprehend him shortly afterward, leading to his arrest. The injured taxi driver received medical treatment for his injuries.
In court, Shibambu chose to represent himself. He applied for bail, insisting that he required time to prepare for his trial.
However, prosecutor Sharon Nkandimeng opposed this request, presenting compelling testimony from investigating officer Constable Phalane of the Serious and Violent Crime Unit.
“Constable Phalane testified that the accused was a flight risk and a danger to both the community and himself, as he had allegedly expressed that he wanted to commit suicide because his job was done,” said Mahanjana.
Meanwhile, the presiding Magistrate concluded that it was not in the interests of justice to grant Shibambu bail, stating that the severity of the charges and the circumstances surrounding the crimes justified the decision to keep him in custody.
The matter was postponed to November 27, 2025, for further investigation.
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