The two teenage brothers accused of killing a mentally disabled boy on his birthday have been sent to a place of safety and will undergo psychiatric evaluation.
The 14- and 16-year-old boys were charged with murder, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm and armed robbery in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
The two are accused of stabbing Mikyle Bruiners, 17, of Parkwood in the chest on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, the victim had been robbed of a silver chain he received from his father as a birthday gift.
When he told his family about the theft, the accused went to fetch knives and when they returned, stabbed Mikyle and two of his relatives.
He was running towards his uncle Charles Bruiners, 35, who was fighting with one of the attackers, when he was stabbed in the chest.
One of them also allegedly stabbed and injured Mikyle’s stepfather Ashwill Piet, 39.
After the incident, the brothers and two other teens fled to Hanover Park.
Police managed to track down the four suspects, but only arrested the two brothers.
The other two, who were said to be accomplices, are now witnesses in the case.
Grassy Park Police Station Commander Colonel Dawood Laing explains: “There were four involved, but only two have been charged with murder, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm and robbery with a weapon other than a firearm.”
Yesterday, the teen brothers heard they will be staying in places of safety.
One will be sent to Bonnytoun Child and Youth Care Centre and the other to Bosasa Clanwilliam, where they will be evaluated by social workers.
“The case has been postponed for two weeks,” adds Laing.
“The state is opposing bail because of the seriousness of the case.”
SAPS’ FC van Wyk says: “Please be advised that cases of murder and attempted murder were opened for investigation by Grassy Park police following a stabbing incident that led to the death of a 17-year-old boy and two other victims, aged 35 and 39, wounded and transported to a medical facility.”