Three University of Johannesburg (UJ) students arrested in connection with the murder of a Soweto high school learner are expected to return to the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court next Thursday.
The suspects, aged between 19 and 24, made a brief court appearance today. The case was postponed for an identity parade to be conducted.
The incident occurred on Tuesday when the suspects, who had reportedly been drinking, allegedly stopped a school bus and demanded the driver take them to buy more alcohol. The learners on board objected.
During an altercation, 18-year-old Cebo Biyela was allegedly beaten with a baseball bat and had his throat slit.
Biyela was later found dead at a soccer ground in Kliptown, Soweto.
Gauteng police spokesperson Tintswalo Sibeko says, “The police received information about the murder incident at Power Park in Kliptown on 06 May 2025. Upon arrival at the scene, it was reported that the deceased was a learner at one of the local schools and was allegedly attacked by several suspects. Information received was operationalised and led to the arrest of three suspects. The motive behind the incident is not yet known.”
The incident has sparked community outrage, with residents from Pimville, Soweto, staging protests outside the UJ Soweto campus since Wednesday.
In a statement, the University of Johannesburg condemned the incident and expressed condolences to the family of the deceased.
Sebata Tshoanetse from the ANC Youth League in Ward 25, Pimville says, “We wanted the university to commit towards the funeral arrangements of the deceased learner, but what we got from inside was not a full commitment from the University. Instead, it was a commitment from the Department of Education, which we believe the Department of Education is also a victim in this ordeal.”
MEC CHILOANE DEVASTATED BY DEATH OF SIMPHIWE BIYELA AND UNREST AT SOWETO SCHOOLS
Gauteng Education MEC @matomekopano is deeply devastated by the tragic death of a Simphiwe ‘Mcebo’ Biyela, an 18-year-old Grade 11 boy learner from Musi High School in Soweto, who was allegedly… pic.twitter.com/aURfchDRKR
— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) May 8, 2025
