Ditebogo Junior Phalane (5) was laid to rest today in a moving ceremony following his brutal murder a week ago. Ditebogo was shot and killed outside his home in Soshanguve Block UU in Tshwane when his father was hijacked.

"ONE LAST HUG AND KISS"

Phalane was described as a bright and loving light in the lives of his family and all who knew him. "You were meant to graduate this year. Sorry they took that exciting opportunity from you. I am grateful for the time I've spent with you, even though it was cut short." The parents said they would give anything to have just one last moment with Ditebogo. "Losing you has been the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with. I would give anything to just get one more day with you. It's hard to accept that you're gone and I'll never see you again. I want to turn back time and give you one last hug and kiss. My child you were planning to buy yourself a motorcycle on your birthday. I can still hear your voice asking me when your birthday is coming. Every morning you'd go and check if your money is still there and you were so dedicated to your swimming lessons. I have realised that in grieving, one never learns to live with the loss of a loved one. I just have to go at it one day at a time." the parents said in a moving tribute. His teachers described him as a child who was always ready for a challenge, inquisitive and someone who stood up for what he believed in.

ARRESTS 

Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni announced the arrest of two suspects linked to the murder of Ditebogo Junior a day before his funeral. Mthombeni said they activated various law enforcers to Jukulyn in search of the suspects and the members vowed not to rest until they arrested all of them. "We have worked tirelessly day and night. For now, we have a breakthrough after thorough investigations led us to specific addresses in Soshanguve where we arrested two suspects in different locations, "said Mthombeni.

He added that in one of the locations the suspect was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm. "At the other location we found the suspect who resided not too far from the crime scene in possession of another unlicensed firearm, which was linked to a car hijacking which was committed in 2023 in Acacia. We also moved to a third location where it is believed that the other suspect resided, however, we didn't find him," he said. Mthombeni said they will not rest until all the suspects are brought to book.