WITBANK - The family of Vusimuzi “Vusi” Radebe is seeking answers following his death on 19 September, with his family saying they are still trying to understand why he was killed.
According to family member Happy Radebe, Vusi visited his grandmother in Kwaguqa, Witbank, and left for his home in Lynnville at around 4pm or 5pm that Saturday.
The family understands that Vusi was stopped on his way home and questioned about where he was coming from. Radebe said he told those who stopped him that he was from Kempton Park.
According to the family, they believe Vusi may have been mistaken for someone connected to recent incidents reported in Kempton Park, and that this may have contributed to his death.
“He was a quiet person; he didn’t talk a lot and especially since he didn’t have friends. The friends he had were his family only. He was always indoors,” Radebe said.
The family only realised something was wrong when Vusi did not return home late that night. His father subsequently went to the police to report him missing.
On Sunday, the family received news of his death. “His mother called me on Sunday afternoon. I had to rush there, to my grandmother’s place,” Radebe said.
A graphic video circulating on social media appears to show Vusi lying helplessly on the ground after the alleged assault. He is shirtless, with almost his entire face covered in blood, while severe bruising and injuries are visible across his face and body. He appears motionless and unresponsive.
A case has been opened with SAPS, with Witbank Police Station investigating. According to the family, no arrests have been made and they have not yet received further information from police about the investigation.
The family says it also does not know how many people were involved in Vusi’s killing or exactly what happened during the incident.
Their biggest question remains: why? “The biggest unanswered question the family has right now is why did they kill him? Why did they take matters into their own hands?” Radebe said.
The family is now preparing for Vusi’s funeral, which is expected to take place this weekend.
Radebe is appealing to anyone who may have witnessed what happened, or who has information that could help investigators, to come forward.
“To anyone who knows what happened but has not spoken yet to the police, your help would be really appreciated because the parents are going through a very difficult time,” she said.
“As a family we also need to get closure. Their help will mean a lot to us right now.”
For the family, Vusi’s death has yet to fully sink in. “Whatever happened hasn’t sunk in with the family, maybe after everything,” Radebe said.
Beyond the circumstances of his death, the family wants Vusi to be remembered for the person he was.
“He was the greatest human being ever,” Radebe said.
The family is appealing to anyone with information about what happened to Vusi, or anyone who may have witnessed the incident, to come forward.