Matthew Kitandwe murder: £10,000 reward offered to catch killer of talented teenage footballer

Matthew Kitandwe: Police have launched a renewed appeal after the teenager footballer was stabbed to death in Battersea
Metropolitan Police
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A £10,000 reward is being offered to help as police appeal for information to catch the killer of a talented teenage footballer who was stabbed to death in south London.

Scotland Yard has launched a new appeal for information one year on from the death of Matthew Kitandwe, 18, who played for Uganda’s youth team.

The teenager was killed in Battersea on June 21 last year and investigators say there is no evidence he had links to gangs.

The reward is being offered by independent charity Crimestoppers for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of his murderers.

Murdered: A young Matthew Kitandwe and his mother Rose
Met Police

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Price said: "A year on from the murder we have found no evidence to suggest that Matthew was affiliated to gangs or to crime, and we have found nothing that indicates a motive for his murder.

"We need to speak to anyone who knows why Matthew was attacked and killed.

"This appears to have been a senseless attack on a young man and Matthew's family has been left devastated - they rightly deserve to know what led to his death.

"Matthew's mother was called to her injured son and had to watch him die in front of her.

"No parent should have to endure an ordeal like this and the fact that no one has been brought to account can only increase the family's anguish.

"I would ask anyone who has information to search their conscience and do what is right.

"If you know anything that can help bring justice for Matthew and his family, I would urge you to call, even if you might be scared. We can offer protection to anyone giving vital information."

Detectives are looking for witnesses to a fight between two girls outside South Thames College, where Mr Kitandwe was a student, earlier that afternoon.

They also want to trace a group of black men seen at around 11am that day in a silver car in Wayford Street, where Mr Kitandwe was attacked.

His mother Rose described him as her best friend and said: "You were much loved by everyone and have left a very big gap to fill.

"Please, please could anyone with any information contact the police, as we don't want any other family to go through this."

His uncle James said the "excellent sportsman" represented Wandsworth Borough in athletics, had played for Uganda's under-17 football team and had recently been signed by Colliers Wood FC.

Seven teenagers, aged 13 to 18, have been arrested on suspicion of murder. Six were released with no further action and one has been released under investigation.

Anyone with information can call police on 020 8721 5054 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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