Fury as ‘blood sucker’ accused fails to appear

SOWETO residents were yesterday left fuming after discovering that Aaron Shiburi, the man accused of stabbing Tinyiko Mongwe and sucking his blood, would not be appearing in court.

Police spokesperson Constable Monica Hangwani said the accused was moved to Johannesburg Sun City prison after he made a brief appearance in the Orlando Magistrate’s Court last Thursday.

“The accused had not made a court appearance since being arrested because he was in hospital after being assaulted,” Hangwani said.

The 21-year-old’s case was initially heard in absentia on April 13, three days after he allegedly murdered 5-year-old Tinyiko.

“We want to see this man who killed an innocent boy. It means that it’s no longer safe to raise kids in our communities because there are people who target them,” said resident Samson Mahlangu.

He said the community had gathered at the court to protest against the potential release of the accused on bail.

“It will not make sense for him to be released on bail because he is clearly not suitable to be in public,” he said.

Shiburi is expected to appear again next Wednesday.

Hangwani explained that Shiburi needed to be moved to a correctional facility as he could not be a charged suspect while kept in a holding cell. She was quick to dismiss reports that Shiburi attempted to commit suicide the day before his appearance.

According to the Mongwe family’s spokesperson, Bunkie Ramashiya, Shiburi tried to commit suicide in the Orlando police station. “We heard that he tore a blanket and tried to hang himself with it and that’s why he was moved,” Ramashiya told The Star.

Asked how the Mongwe family was coping with the murder of their son, Ramashiya said they were coming to terms with it. “They have been receiving support. The children present when the murder happened are also being counselled and will be seeing a psychologist on Friday to help them deal with the trauma,” she said.

Tinyiko was playing soccer in the street with other children at the time of the attack.

The accused apparently tripped him and stabbed him numerous times in the neck before sucking his blood.