Pitori 🇿🇦

The father of five-year-old Ditebogo Phalane Junior, who was tragically shot and killed on May 10, 2024, is expected to take the witness stand at the Pretoria North Magistrates Court today. Ditebogo Phalane Junior was killed during the hijacking of his father's bakkie outside their home in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, by foreign nationals. Ditebogo ran out of the house to greet his father as he arrived home when he encountered the armed hijackers. He was fatally shot with a firearm later ballistically matched to a stolen SAPS pistol. Elia Maeko (also referred to as Elia Mayo/Moeko), Ali Sithole, and Nido Gumbe—belonging to a local group referred to as the "Task Team," were arrested and charged with murder and aggravated robbery. Co-accused Ali Sithole and Nido Gumbe abandoned their bail applications. Elia Maeko fought for bail, but the Pretoria North Magistrate's Court officially denied it on July 30, 2025, after deeming him a flight risk and a danger to society and witnesses. The suspects have also faced proceedings connecting them to a string of other vehicle hijackings and related crimes.