The death of a teenage boy in Diepsloot has sparked anger, grief and protest, as residents demand answers over claims that he was shot by a police officer under questionable circumstances.
Sixteen-year-old Thabani Akhona Mazibuko, a Grade 11 learner, was killed on Saturday night near the local police station. According to eyewitnesses, the incident unfolded less than a kilometre from the station, leaving the community deeply shaken.
Residents took to the streets the following day, gathering outside the police station in protest. Many accused officers of excessive force and called for justice, saying the teenager’s death reflects long-standing tensions between police and the community.
Eyewitnesses claim Mazibuko was shot while trying to intervene during an altercation involving police officers and his friend, Tshwarelo Maluleka. The group had reportedly been escorting several girls home when a white VW Polo carrying three officers stopped and confronted them.
Maluleka alleged that officers began harassing the group and assaulting him. He claimed Mazibuko stepped in to defend him, even throwing an object in an attempt to stop the attack. According to witnesses, the situation quickly escalated, with officers allegedly chasing Mazibuko before shots were fired.
Another witness said he saw officers dragging the teenager while he pleaded with them, before hearing multiple gunshots. Reports suggest Mazibuko was shot several times at close range. He was later rushed to a clinic but died before receiving treatment.
Community members have also alleged that the officers involved appeared intoxicated at the time of the incident. These claims have fueled outrage, with residents questioning police conduct and demanding accountability.
However, police have strongly disputed this version of events. Authorities claim the teenager was involved in an attempted robbery and was shot during a confrontation with officers in an unmarked vehicle.
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili, Mazibuko and another suspect allegedly tried to rob two officers. During the incident, one officer was reportedly shot and another stabbed, while the second suspect fled the scene.
Mazibuko’s family and witnesses have rejected the police account, insisting he was not involved in any criminal activity. His loved ones described him as a respectful young man with a future ahead of him.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has since launched an investigation into the shooting. Officials confirmed that the case has been registered and that investigators have already begun reconstructing the scene and interviewing witnesses.
The incident has once again highlighted strained relations between police and communities in high-crime areas like Diepsloot, where trust has eroded over time. Residents say incidents like this deepen fear rather than provide protection.
As investigations continue, the community remains on edge, with many calling for transparency and justice. For Mazibuko’s family, the focus is simple: they want the truth about what happened that night—and accountability for those responsible.
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