Western Cape police have dismissed claims that 19-year-old Nhlamulo Sambo was killed because he spoke Xitsonga, saying preliminary investigations link his death to an alleged break-in. Image: Supplied/Family
Western Cape police have dismissed claims that Nhlamulo Sambo was killed because he spoke Xitsonga. This Nhlamulo Sambo police update contradicts the narrative that spread widely across social media and mainstream media. Police say preliminary investigations point to a different motive. Furthermore, there is currently no evidence linking his death to xenophobia or anti-immigrant protests.
Nhlamulo Sambo Police Update: The New Version
Western Cape police have spoken directly to the claims that circulated online following Sambo’s death. According to police, preliminary investigations indicate that Sambo was allegedly attacked after breaking into a shack and stealing property in KwaNonqaba, Mossel Bay. Therefore, the circumstances of his death differ significantly from what was initially reported.
Police have urged the public not to draw conclusions while the investigation is still ongoing. No arrests have been made at the time of publication. Furthermore, the exact sequence of events on the night of Sunday 31 May 2026 remains the subject of active police investigation.
How the Narrative Spread
After Sambo’s death, his family alleged publicly that he had been killed because he spoke Xitsonga and was mistaken for a foreign national. His mother said he was killed for being Tsonga in a predominantly Xhosa community. His sister made similar claims on social media. As a result, the story was picked up by national and international media outlets.
GIWUSA condemned the killing as a xenophobic attack based on the family’s account. However, Operation Dudula challenged the family’s version from the start. Police have now issued a clarification that contradicts the xenophobic mistaken identity narrative.
What This Development Means
Police have not completed their investigation. Therefore, no final conclusion has been reached. However, the preliminary finding represents a significant departure from the version of events that was widely reported. It also illustrates how quickly unverified accounts can spread and become accepted as fact during periods of heightened social tension.
Nhlamulo Sambo remains dead. His family is still grieving. His mother is still struggling to transport his body back to Limpopo for burial. Those facts remain unchanged. However, the circumstances of his death as currently understood by investigators are materially different from the initial claims.
Anyone with information about the killing of Nhlamulo Sambo is urged to contact SAPS on Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or submit information anonymously through the MySAPS App.
Editors Note This article updates earlier reporting on the death of Nhlamulo Sambo based on new information from Western Cape police. All findings referenced are preliminary and the investigation is ongoing. No arrests have been made. Mzansi Today Live will continue to update this story as further information becomes available.