Dad’s R600K Bakkie Sold For Just R30K After 5-Year-Old Ditebogo’s Killing, Court Hears

Heartbreaking new details have emerged in the case of five-year-old Ditebogo Junior Phalane, who was shot and killed outside his home in May last year while running to hug his father. In a chilling testimony during the bail hearing of one of the accused, Elia Maeko, investigating officer Sergeant Sevhasa Mashudu revealed that the bakkie stolen during the attack — worth R600,000 — was later sold for a mere R30,000.

“The value of the car at the time was R600,000 and it was sold for R30,000,” said Mashudu.

According to the officer, the suspects wasted no time offloading the vehicle, selling it to a buyer in Mpumalanga just days after the murder. Tragically, Ditebogo’s life was lost in what now appears to have been a cold, calculated hit carried out by a gang with a clear modus operandi.

Notorious Gang, Quick Bakkie Sale & Cold Strategy

Maeko and his co-accused — Ali Sithole (30) and Nido Gumbo (29) — are alleged members of the feared Task Team gang, known for a spate of armed robberies and hijackings across Soshanguve to Rustenburg. Mashudu testified that the gang had a system: each member played a specific role — from disabling trackers to finding buyers fast.

“These people conspired to commit a crime, they used to be armed and after robbing people, they knew where to sell those things and what to remove, such as a tracker,” Mashudu explained.

The canopy of the stolen bakkie was sold separately along the R101 for R3,000 the day after the crime. Mashudu stated Maeko made that sale himself. On May 12, Sithole met the buyer from Mpumalanga and arranged the deal for R30,000.  “Unfortunately, the buyer further sold it,” said Mashudu.

Two additional suspects are still at large. Maeko was arrested five days after Ditebogo’s murder, with the others apprehended soon after. The investigation is ongoing, and police say more arrests are imminent.

Bail Pleas and a Grieving Family’s Pain

In his latest bid for bail, Maeko’s legal team painted a picture of a family man. Through his lawyer, Thulani Kekana, Maeko said he is a father of three children — including a daughter he has never met, born while he was in custody.

“I am a father to three minor children aged between six years and four months old. At the time of my arrest, my girlfriend was six months pregnant,” Maeko’s affidavit read.

Claiming to be a breadwinner, Maeko said he earned R7,500 per month from taxi driving and owning a salon. His 66-year-old mother also submitted an affidavit, stating that she now struggles to access medical care and food without his help.

The court postponed the matter to May 6, just as Mashudu was about to detail how the community played a vital role in leading police to the suspects.

Outside court, Ditebogo’s father, Ditebogo Phalane Snr, expressed gratitude for the public’s support and said the testimony reopened deep wounds.

“It took us back to the trauma we went through, especially when he went into details. It took a huge toll on us, but I send gratitude to each and every person who contributed to this case.”

He also voiced concern about the safety of Sgt Mashudu, with two suspects still on the loose.

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