Avid footballer Phumlani Dlamini of KwaNongoma, who was allegedly punched to death following a football dispute linked to a match in which he scored six goals.
Image: SUPPLIED
The Dlamini family in Thokazi, KwaNongoma, is reeling in shock after their 24-year-old son was allegedly beaten to death following a football match last week.
The incident, which allegedly took place in Majomela, KwaNongoma, on Thursday, claimed the life of Phumlani Dlamini.
According to his sister, Qinisile Dlamini, the incident occurred after a football match between Mthombowesizwe High School and the Nongoma LoveLife Youth Centre.
“It is alleged that he was attacked by a group of boys with whom he had previously clashed over the long weekend in May. We were told that the team he played for, Mjiva, had earlier played against another team linked to these boys, and he scored six goals in that match,” said Dlamini.
She said the suspects allegedly became angered by his performance on the field and attempted to confront him at the time, but were separated before the situation escalated.
“On Thursday, the day he was killed, it is alleged that he was first struck with a single punch before being pulled away. During the commotion, he was punched again, fell to the ground, started shaking and died,” she said.
Dlamini said the family was informed that after the suspect realised the seriousness of the injuries, he removed the belt he was wearing and struck the deceased with it.
“We do not know whether he was trying to wake him up or finish him off,” she said.
She added that some community members suspect the suspect may have been wearing traditional herbal medicine on the belt, which they believe gave him unusual strength.
“It is painful because my brother was not a violent person. He loved laughing and he loved football. The fact that he left home to play football and we later received news that he had been killed on the field has caused us deep pain,” she said.
Dlamini said the family understood that the teams had been playing for a stake, although they were unaware of its value.
She said the family was alerted by someone who had accompanied Phumlani to the football match. When they arrived at the scene, police were already there and confirmed that he had died.
KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga visited the family on Tuesday to offer support to relatives, friends and the wider Nongoma community.
“This incident is a sad reminder of the need to promote peaceful conflict resolution, especially among young people involved in sport,” said Shinga.
The MEC also committed to making psychological counselling available to the grieving family.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Sergeant Thenjiswa Ngcobo confirmed that Nongoma police had arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with the murder.
“He was allegedly beaten to death on May 7, 2026, in KwaMajomela,” said Ngcobo.
The suspect appeared in the KwaNongoma Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
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