Katlehong Family Mourns Teen Killed at Traditional Ceremony in Germiston

Driver Allegedly Targets Cultural Celebration

 

Image: CCTV footage and justice for Thando Mahlangu banner at protest in katlehong

A community celebration turned to heartbreak when a 13 year old girl, Thando "Pretty" Mahlangu, was fatally struck by a car during a traditional coming of age ceremony in the Dinwiddie area of Germiston on June 28, 2025.

The girl, from Katlehong, had joined others in celebrating a cultural milestone known as Umhlonyane, a Zulu tradition that marks a young girl’s transition into womanhood. The event involved singing and dancing in traditional attire on a residential street an arrangement that had been communicated to neighbours and secured with barricaded vehicles.

Here’s some part of the video. https://t.co/1jCfqzHent

— MaMboweni 🌹 (@LordFarqu44d) July 8, 2025

Driver Allegedly Drove Into Crowd

Witnesses say that a 68-year-old woman, reportedly a local resident, arrived at the event and expressed anger toward the participants, criticizing their clothing and questioning the ceremony. Despite efforts to explain the tradition to her, she allegedly drove her vehicle into the group of young girls, hitting Pretty Mahlangu. Some bystanders claim the driver reversed and hit the girl again before fleeing the scene to report the incident at a police station.

Pretty was transported to a nearby hospital but later died from her injuries.

Family Seeks Justice

The girl’s grieving family has voiced frustration over how the case is being handled. While the driver was arrested days later and charged with culpable homicide, she was released the same evening on R5,000 bail. A scheduled court appearance was delayed, with officials citing the need for further investigation.

“She knew what she was doing,” said the girl's uncle, Mzwandile Soyaya. “That was not an accident. It was intentional, and we want justice.”

Family members argue that the charge of culpable homicide does not reflect the severity of the act and are calling for the woman to be charged with murder.

Public Outcry and Cultural Tensions

The incident has sparked broader discussions about cultural respect, racial tension, and safety at traditional gatherings. Many in the community view the act as not just reckless, but potentially motivated by prejudice toward Zulu customs.

“We had every right to be there, celebrating a centuries-old tradition,” said a family friend who attended the ceremony. “No one should die for honoring their culture.”

Tributes for a Talented Teen

Thando Mahlangu, known affectionately as “Pretty,” was described as a vibrant young girl with a promising future. She was actively involved in local arts and had been praised for her talent in theatre and performance.

Her death has left a void not just in her family, but in the creative circles where she had begun to make her mark.

Investigation Continues

Police have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and being handled at a senior level due to the case’s complexity and public sensitivity. No further court dates have been released as of yet.

As the Mahlangu family continues to demand accountability, their community rallies behind them united in grief, and in a shared call for justice and respect for cultural traditions.

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