A MAN WAS ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY MURDERING A HUSBAND,WIFE AND THEIR 3 YEARL OLD CHILD WITH A SPADE

 A MAN WAS ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY MURDERING A HUSBAND,WIFE AND THEIR 3 YEARL OLD CHILD WITH A SPADE.

Injuring three others.

The Temba Magistrates’ Court has denied bail to Romeo Moshe Shibambu (37) from Suurman, Gauteng who faces three counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and one count of malicious damage to property.

According to the allegations, on 28 September 2025, Shibambu’s sister visited him at his home. During their conversation, she reportedly noticed a garden spade nearby. When she asked about it, Shibambu allegedly told her that he “felt like fighting” and that if he did, he “would win the fight.” He then allegedly chased her away and attacked her with the spade.

Two days later, on 30 September 2025, Shibambu allegedly left his house carrying a spade to confront a shop owner over R350 he claimed was owed to him. On his way, he reportedly saw children playing at a neighbour’s yard and began assaulting three-year-old Kelebogile Neo Gift Baloyi with the spade, fatally injuring the child.

When the child’s mother, Rose Baloyi (33), saw the attack and tried to call for help, she allegedly fainted and fell. Shibambu then reportedly continued his assault, killing her as well. Sibusiso Langatshe Baloyi (42), the father and husband, attempted to intervene but was also allegedly beaten to death with the spade.

A taxi driver who witnessed the attack tried to intervene but was also assaulted. The accused then allegedly hijacked the taxi, dragging the driver from outside the vehicle until he could no longer move. Members of the community apprehended Shibambu shortly after, and police were called to the scene. The injured taxi driver was taken to hospital for treatment, and the accused was arrested.

In court, Shibambu chose to represent himself and applied for bail, claiming he needed time to prepare for trial. Prosecutor Sharon Nkandimeng opposed the application and called Constable Phalane from the Serious and Violent Crime Unit to testify. Phalane told the court that the accused posed a flight risk and was dangerous to the community and himself, adding that Shibambu had allegedly said he wanted to end his life because “his job was done.”

The magistrate ruled that releasing the accused would not be in the interests of justice. The case was postponed to 27 November 2025 for further investigation.