COURT DENIES BAIL TO MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING THREE FAMILY MEMBERS WITH A SPADE
16 October 2025
COURT DENIES BAIL TO MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING THREE FAMILY MEMBERS WITH A SPADE
The Temba Magistrates’ Court has denied bail to Romeo Moshe Shibambu (37) from Suurman, who is facing three counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and one count of malicious property damage. It is alleged that on 28 September 2025, the accused’s sister visited him at his residence. While conversing, she noticed a garden spade nearby. When she enquired about it, the accused told her that he “felt like fighting” and that if he did, he “would win the fight.” He then allegedly chased his sister away and assaulted her with the spade. Two days later, on 30 September 2025, it is alleged that the accused was walking to a nearby shop carrying a spade to demand his R350 from the shop owner.
On his way, he allegedly saw children playing at a neighbour’s house. He began assaulting three-year-old Kelebogile Neo Gift Baloyi with the spade until the child succumbed to his injuries. When the child’s mother, Rose Baloyi (33), saw what was happening and attempted to seek help from neighbours, she fainted and fell to the ground. The accused allegedly continued to assault her with the spade, resulting in her death. When Sibusiso Langatshe Baloyi (42), the father of the child and husband to Rose, tried to intervene, the accused allegedly turned on him and assaulted him with the spade until he died. A taxi driver witnessed the attack and tried to intervene, however, the accused allegedly assaulted him with the spade, got into the taxi, and drove off while dragging the taxi driver from outside the taxi until he could not drive any further. As soon as he got out of the taxi, the community apprehended the accused, and the police were called to the scene. The injured taxi driver was taken to the hospital for medical treatment, and the accused was arrested. In court, Shibambu opted to represent himself and applied for bail, claiming he needed to prepare for trial.
Prosecutor Sharon Nkandimeng opposed the application and led the evidence of the investigating officer, Constable Phalane from 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. The Magistrate found that it was not in the interests of justice to release the accused on bail. The matter was postponed to 27 November 2025, for further investigation.
Issued by:
Lumka Mahanjana
Regional Spokesperson
Gauteng Division: Pretoria
073 002 0000