MOSSEL BAY - The mother of murdered 18-year-old Nhlamulo Sambo has disputed a police statement that her son was caught stealing.
In an interview with eNCA, Mkateko Sambo maintained that her son was targeted because he was Tsonga.
"As a mother, I am very hurt and angry by that statement. I want justice for my son and then I will be fine," Mkateko said.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Western Cape police said Nhlamulo's murder was not related to anti-migrant protests or xenophobic unrest.
READ | Nhlamulo Sambo murder not related to anti-immigration protests
Thembisile Patekile, Western Cape Police Commissioner, said a preliminary investigation indicates that Hlamulo's death was a burglary gone wrong. A 23-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder.
According to police, Nhlamulo and a 15-year-old boy were allegedly caught inside a shack during what is believed to be a theft.
But Sambo said that was not the truth.
"It's a fake story. All they are saying about my son is wrong. The people who came into the shack took my son and went to kill him. They left his friend, who is Xhosa-speaking."
"I was surprised when they said my child is a tsotsi and he was stealing. There is no such thing that my child was stealing. The people who found him told me a different story; they cannot lie."