THE family spokesman claims that one of the suspects arrested was a schoolmate of brutally killed e-hailing driver Isaac Satlat (22).
Solomon Izang Ashoms, a family spokesman, said: "The suspect on the video is the one who strangled Isaac and is familiar with Isaac. They went together to school. I think they killed him because they knew him."
He said that after the three suspects appeared in court on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, some of Isaac's friends saw one of the accused. They said they know the guy and his face looked familiar.
"The friends said they saw this guy with Isaac. According to his friends, they went to school together," said Solomon.
He said that they were friends at a private school together in Pretoria West. Solomon said that they thought it was a case of a crime that went wrong.
"We are shocked. When we watched the video first from the dashboard camera, we actually thought it was just two people. Now they are six people. It's making us wonder if this is more like a syndicate that is operating around Pretoria targeting e-hailers. We don't believe he was targeted," he said.
Going home to Nigeria
Meanwhile, he said Isaac's body will be flown to Nigeria soon as they have raised enough money.
"The family is getting a bit better after the arrest of suspects," he said.
President of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, Attorney Nwobi Smart, said: "We have been appointed by the family to watch closely about the processes in terms of Criminal Procedures Act 57 of 1977."
He said that they are not happy that the first accused, identified by footage going viral, wasn't in court.
"When the court tried to enquire what transpired, it appears to be an administrative error. The court signed a J7 document," he said.
Efe Baldwin, a church member of Isaac at Winners Chapel International, said: "Our friend was gruesomely murdered and is not accepted. We hope justice will be served. Justice for Isaac."
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Community member in Atteridgeville, Refilwe Bogopa, said: "I'm very hurt, sad and disappointed. Isaac was a child and human being. His life was cut short by selfish people."
Suspects in court
Five of the six suspects in the e-hailing murder case appeared at the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Monday, 23 February 2026. They are facing charges of premeditated murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Dikeledi Tears Mphela (24) was not in court because of an administrative error.
The Presiding Magistrate, Christopher Chokoe, postponed the matter to 3 March 2026 for requisition.
The suspects who appeared in court are Goitsione Machidi (25), McClaren Mushwana (30), Tumishang Mogau Mabutla (23), Ofentse Senwamadi (18) and Thabang Kenneth Mothwa (25).
The six suspects abandoned their bail applications.
NPA regional spokeswoman Lumka Mahanjana said: "Five suspects face premeditated murder cases and robbery with aggravating circumstances as an accessory after the fact. Mothwa faces a charge of robbery with aggravating circumstances as an accessory after the fact."
