Free State operations net 2 murder suspects

South African Police Service

Free State operations net 2 murder suspects
Free State operations net 2 murder suspects

The Phuthaditjhaba and Welkom Public Order Police Units, working with the assistance of patrollers, pursued an alleged murder suspect the same day after he allegedly fatally wounded a person and injured others, while Senekal Police put behind bars a suspect after wounding his girlfriend and another man at a hostel.

On 17 December 2022 at about 14:00, police were patrolling when they received a complaint of possible murder at Mphatlalatsane village. On their arrival, they found a fatally wounded man lying on the ground with stab wounds covered with a blanket. The deceased was identified by his sister as Mpho Xaba (28).

It’s further alleged by a community member that Mpho was trying to stop the suspect from throwing stones at her house as he had already damaged her window panes and ran away. He allegedly stabbed another victim, who was also trying to stop him.

The community patrollers were mobilized to provide information about the suspect’s whereabouts. The manhunt was launched by Phuthaditjhaba police and Welkom POP.

The area in and around Mphatlatsane Village was saturated with more boots on the ground. House-to-house search was conducted. Information was received during the search that the suspect was hiding in the bushes around the Mphatlalatsane School area. The team followed the information, and the suspect was traced and found hiding in the premises of Mphatlalatsane School.

The suspect was arrested. He was searched, and a knife and clothes with blood stains were confiscated. The 29-year-old suspect will be charged and expected to appear before Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate Court on Monday, 19 December 2022, facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and malicious damage to property.

Meanwhile, in Matwabeng, near Senekal, at about 19:00, police received a complaint of domestic violence that was in progress at Ditedu Hostel in Matwabeng township, where the suspect allegedly stabbed his girlfriend, Mantoa Moletsane (30), who sustained multiple stab wounds, and Themba Mayekiso, who was injured on his waist and eye, and were both rushed to a local hospital.

The police went looking for the suspect, and they found him walking around the yard, holding a blood stained knife in his right hand, threatening to kill anyone, including the police officials who were on the scene.

Other police officials from Marquard were mobilized for assistance, and they managed to overpower the suspect and arrest him. The 42-year-old suspect will be charged with two attempted murder cases.

He is expected to appear before the Senekal Magistrate Court on Monday, 19 December 2022.

SAPS Newsroom

SOURCESouth African Police Service