A 36 year old suspect was arrested for murder and kidnapping and is set to appear in the Ladysmith Magistrates Court on 31 January 2019. On Saturday 26 January 2019, a 20 year old man was kidnapped from the Steadville area in Ladysmith by seven men who had accused him of stealing a motor vehicle.
The community came to victims’ assistance after hearing his appeals for assistance as he was being assaulted by the suspects. One of the suspects was apprehended by the community and gunshots were fired to scare the community while the suspects escaped with victim.
The incident was reported to Ladysmith police and a case was opened. Detectives worked around the clock and established late on Monday afternoon 28 January 2019, that the victim could have been killed and thrown into the Klip River.
A search was conducted in the area but to no avail. The Police Search and Rescue Unit was brought in early on 29 January 2019 and the deceased’s body was recovered. He had sustained several gunshot wounds and had been severely assaulted.
A suspect has since been arrested by Ladysmith detectives who are investigating a case of murder.
Communities have been warned in the past to guard against acts of vigilantism, no matter how angry they may be. Police have also on numerous occasions appealed to communities to report all known criminals to police and allow police to investigate and arrest them.
Anyone who has knowledge of the whereabouts of the outstanding suspects are urged to contact the Investigating Officer, Constable BX Zwane on 036 638 3330/082 411 7070 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
