Teen Accused of Murder Diagnosed with Mental Health Disorder
An 18-year-old from Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, has been accused of murdering his three-year-old brother. The suspect, Ikemetse Tsheole, appeared in the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, facing charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice.
According to reports, Tsheole has been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. His defense attorney, Lucky Sundani from Legal Aid South Africa, submitted an application under the Criminal Procedure Act to determine whether Tsheole is mentally fit to stand trial.
## Alleged Confession and Discovery of the Crime
Tsheole allegedly confessed to poisoning his younger brother, Abraham, with rat poison.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana provided details of the incident, stating that the mother of the accused was at home with her three sons, aged 16, 18, and 22, on January 31. Around 11 AM, she realized that her youngest son was missing.
Initially assuming that the child was playing at a neighbor’s house, she did not raise an alarm. However, when the child had still not returned by 1 PM, she began searching for him.
By 4 PM, the 16-year-old brother went to a nearby field close to the N1 highway to feed his goats. He then witnessed Tsheole placing the young child’s body into a dustbin. Shocked by the discovery, the 16-year-old took the dustbin home and informed their mother. Emergency services were called to the scene, and the child was declared dead upon arrival.
## Mental Health History and Substance Abuse
In court, defense attorney Sundani revealed that Tsheole had been diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2021. He provided documentation from Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital to support this claim.
The records indicated that Tsheole had been admitted to the hospital in October 2021 due to a decline in mental function, social withdrawal, disorganized behavior, aggression, and bizarre delusions. His symptoms included believing he had an ancestral calling connected to the “Illuminati Satan,” which conflicted with his family’s cultural beliefs. These symptoms were also linked to substance abuse.
Prosecutor Advocate Taku Chabalala stated that discussions with the family confirmed a history of schizophrenia in Tsheole, worsened by drug use, including dagga and crystal meth.
“For the state to properly prosecute the accused, it must establish whether he had criminal capacity at the time of the offense,” said Chabalala. “To determine this, Tsheole must undergo a psychiatric evaluation at Sterkfontein Hospital. The findings will decide whether he faces prosecution or is declared a mental health patient.”
## Court Decision and Next Steps
Given the circumstances, Tsheole’s defense attorney opted to abandon a bail application at this stage.
The court remanded Tsheole in custody and postponed his case to March 13. By then, a psychiatric evaluation report from Sterkfontein Hospital will be presented to determine his mental state and legal responsibility.
The tragic case has raised concerns about mental health awareness and the impact of substance abuse, highlighting the need for early intervention and support for individuals struggling with mental disorders.