The community of Wattville in Ekurhuleni has been left devastated following the tragic death of **10-year-old Tshepang Lihlabi**, a brave cancer survivor and talented young soccer player whose life was cut short in a horrific incident allegedly involving a family member.
The heartbreaking incident occurred on Thursday, 5 March, shortly after Tshepang returned home from school. What began as a normal day quickly turned into a nightmare for his family, leaving them struggling to come to terms with the shocking loss.
A Mother’s Final Conversation With Her Son
Tshepang’s mother, Puseletso Mochesane, who works as a general worker at the same school her son attended, recalled the last conversation she had with him before the tragedy.
According to Puseletso, she spoke to her son shortly before he left school and reminded him about what he needed to do when he arrived home ahead of his soccer training. At the time, she had no idea that it would be the final conversation she would ever have with her beloved child.
The grieving mother broke down while describing the moment she was urgently called back home.
When she arrived at her house, she was immediately alarmed by the sight of a large crowd gathered outside her yard. Inside the kitchen, she noticed disturbing signs that something terrible had happened.
There were blood stains on the fridge door and the carpet. When she entered the bedroom, she was met with a heartbreaking scene — her son lying motionless in a pool of blood with a severe wound to his throat.
## A Young Fighter Who Beat Cancer
Tshepang’s father, Thabo Lihlabi, described his son as a courageous and intelligent child who had already overcome significant challenges at a very young age.
Two years ago, Tshepang was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo surgery followed by chemotherapy treatments. Despite the pain and emotional strain of the illness, he remained strong and determined throughout his battle.
According to his father, Tshepang refused to let the disease define his life and continued to focus on his dreams and passions.
The young boy was known at school for his intelligence and confidence. He was also involved in public speaking activities and showed great promise in academics.
Outside the classroom, Tshepang had a deep love for soccer. He played for **Millerni United FC**, a local soccer club in Wattville, and dreamed of one day becoming a professional football star.
## Family Member Arrested After the Attack
The tragedy has been made even more painful for the family because the suspect is believed to be someone they knew and trusted.
Thabo revealed that Tshepang’s sister narrowly escaped becoming another victim during the attack. After the alleged killing, the suspect reportedly tried to grab her as well, but she managed to escape and ran outside screaming for help.
Community members also reported unusual behavior from the suspect following the incident.
According to the family, the young boy’s sister described the suspect’s eyes as looking “wild,” which left her terrified as she fled for safety.
## Police Investigation Underway
Police spokesperson Captain Neldah Sekgobela confirmed that a murder case has been opened at the Actonville Police Station.
Officers responded to a call at a house on Sigcawu Street in Wattville, where they discovered the lifeless body of the 10-year-old boy in one of the bedrooms.
Authorities reported that the victim had a visible wound to the throat. A 32-year-old suspect, believed to be Tshepang’s half-brother, was later arrested after he was allegedly seen carrying a bloody knife.
The suspect is expected to appear in court soon to face a charge of murder as investigations into the tragic case continue.
Tshepang’s death has left his family and the Wattville community mourning the loss of a brave young boy whose life was filled with promise, resilience, and dreams that will now never be fulfilled.
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