The arrest of a 23-year-old suspect in connection with the killing of Mossel Bay teenager Nhlamulo Sambo has been welcomed by March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, who expressed hope that the development will bring justice to the grieving family and help establish the truth surrounding the controversial case.

Sambo, 19, died after being stabbed during an incident in Mossel Bay in the early hours of Sunday morning. The case attracted widespread attention and sparked heated political debate after claims emerged on social media that the teenager had been targeted because he was Tsonga or mistaken for a foreign national.

However, police investigations have since painted a different picture.

According to the South African Police Service, Sambo was allegedly with a 15-year-old boy when the pair were found inside a shack at around 02:00. Police say the owner of the shack allegedly discovered the two inside the structure during what investigators believe was a theft-related incident.

The younger boy reportedly hid under a bed, while Sambo fled the scene. He was later caught and stabbed multiple times. He died at the scene.

Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile said available evidence indicates that the incident stemmed from an alleged theft and confirmed that both Sambo and the 15-year-old are South African citizens.

Police have now confirmed the arrest of a 23-year-old suspect in connection with the murder. The investigation remains ongoing.

Reacting to the arrest, Ngobese-Zuma said she hoped it would help the family find closure and prevent the tragedy from being exploited for political gain.

“We hope this will help the family get justice for their loss and the truth to finally be told. Some seemingly desperately want to hold on to the version of truth that suits them, but when a life is lost, we should never degenerate to the level of cheap propaganda and getting votes just because we don’t like certain people. May his soul RIP,” she said.

Ngobese-Zuma’s comments come after both March and March, and Operation Dudula faced criticism from some politicians and social media users who linked the movements’ anti-illegal immigration campaigns to Sambo’s death.

The groups were accused by critics of creating an environment that allegedly contributed to violence against people perceived to be foreign nationals. However, police have repeatedly stated that their investigation has found no evidence suggesting that Sambo was attacked because of his ethnicity, language, or nationality.

Supporters of March and March, and Operation Dudula, argue that the arrest and information released by police vindicate the organisations against claims that they were responsible for influencing the events that led to the teenager’s death.

As the criminal investigation continues, authorities have urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information and allow the legal process to take its course.

The arrest marks a significant development in a case that has generated national attention, with many now hoping that court proceedings will provide answers for Sambo’s family and bring clarity to a tragedy that quickly became the subject of intense political and social debate.