Teens arrested over murder of former childhood friend and stabbing his uncle, stepfather
THE two teenage boys accused of murdering 17-year-old mentallychallenged Mikyle Bruiners have been detained at a juvenile detention facility.
The two appeared at the Wynberg Magistrate's Court yesterday.
Mikyle's birthday ended in tragedy on Saturday when he was stabbed to death, while his uncle and stepfather were stabbed and injured in the same incident.
Mikyle's stepfather is still in hospital in a serious condition while his uncle was discharged earlier this week.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk confirmed said the two boys were arrested on Tuesday morning.
“(We) can confirm that two suspects aged 14 and 16 was arrested on Tuesday at about 11.40am. The suspects will appear today in the Wynberg Court in a case of murder and two attempted murder charges, the suspects will be detained at a juvenile facility after appearing today,” said Van Wyk. Mikyle's grandmother, Anne Bruiners, said her grandson had become a target for bullying by the accused teenagers, who were his childhood friends.
Anne said Mikyle was stabbed after his attackers robbed him of a chain he received as a birthday gift from his father.
“They robbed him of his chain and he came to tell us. I had then confronted the boys to return the chain because they live nearby.
“That is when they threatened that Mikyle would swim in his own blood. I reported the incident to police who were patrolling the area at the time.
“An altercation occurred in which Mikyle, his uncle and stepfather were stabbed,” Bruiners said.
Mikyle will be buried on Saturday, with family and friends expected to gather at their Beaulah Court home in Parkwood.