Delmas — Ward 6 residents along with South African Communist Party (SACP) and African National Congress (ANC) Women’s Leagues, gathered outside the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on 03 February 2026 to oppose bail for a man accused of murdering seven-year-old Thandolwethu Perseverance Mahlangu.
Holding placards and chanting slogans demanding justice, community members vowed to remain visible in court until accountability is secured.
“We are Thandolwethu Perseverance Mahlangu, and Thandolwethu Perseverance Mahlangu is us,” protesters declared.
The child was reported missing on 11 November 2025 by her mother, Ayanda Ngwenyama, after she failed to return home visiting her father. Her body was later discovered behind the shack in Delpark Extension 2, shocking the community and prompting widespread calls for justice and stronger protection for children.
Preliminary police findings suggested the murder may be linked to ritual practices. The child’s body reportedly showed no stab wounds but appeared to have been pierced repeatedly. One eye was missing and her body was smeared with an unidentified substance believed to be a concoction. No visible blood was found at the scene.
The accused, Sunnyboy Mbonani, was arrested on 12 December 2025 following weeks of investigation into the child’s murder. He made his first court appearance on 15 December 2025 at the Delmas Magistrate’s Court, where the matter was postponed to allow for further investigations and verification of evidence.
Since then, the case has been postponed six times, and four of those postponements happened in January 2026. Prosecutors requested more time for detectives to finalise their investigation.
Thandolwethu’s father, Jabu Mahlangu, described the family’s pain and sense of betrayal. “We are hurt by this act because we have known each other since we were young. I never thought someone I trusted could do something that would cause my family so much pain. This is someone I cried to during Thandolwethu’s disappearance,” he said.
Community leaders and South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) representative Dikgetse ‘Slash’ Sepenyane said the case extends beyond one family, it affects the entire community.
“Thandolwethu was one of our own futures as a whole. That is why we will continue to mobilise in support of the Mahlangu family until justice is done,” he said.
Sepenyane said the community strongly opposes bail, citing what he described as a strong state case.
“Every link places the accused at the scene. His electronic device plays a pivotal role in establishing what happened. The investigating officer presented a solid case and we believe justice must take its course,” he said. “If justice fails here, what message does that send to other victims who are still afraid to speak out? Strong investigations build confidence and ensure communities are not silenced by fear,” said Sepenyane.
