Nelspruit: 13 July 2023 - An alleged gang member was reportedly hacked to death allegedly by a group of suspects in Piet Retief on Wednesday, 12 July 2023. This incident is believed to be gang related and it reportedly occurred at a place called Thandukukhanya in Mkhondo.
Information indicates that on that fateful day around 16h30 when police were alerted by a community member that someone was under attack, they proceeded to the scene. Upon arrival, they found a lifeless body of a 20-year-old male victim laying on the ground with multiple injuries on the upper body. He was unfortunately certified dead by the paramedics who also attended the scene.
Information on police disposal is that the victim was allegedly chased by suspects from Mangosuthu Section until Mafred homes Section where he was severely attacked and then succumbed to his injuries.
Police are investigating a murder case and thus far, the motive for the killing is unknown.
The investigation by the Police immediately began and during the initial stage of the probe, police recovered a shovel with some blood stains. Two alleged suspects aged 23 and 17 were arrested at their residential places in the afternoon of today, 13 July 2023 at about 13h30.
The two suspects are expected to appear at the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, Friday 14 July 2023 facing a murder charge. The investigators are working in collaboration with Probation Officers as one of the suspects is a minor.
The Police in Piet Retief continue to deal with incidents of gang related crimes and have since made a major breakthrough as eight (08) suspects aged between 22 to 35 were arrested on Wednesday, 12 July 2023 for possession of suspected stolen properties, which include mobile phones as well as some laptops believed to have been accessed from house robberies. The suspects are alleged gang members from different groupings and the investigation so far connects them with about six house robberies that were carried out in Piet Retief recently hence they are also faces with house robbery charges against them. About eight cell phones were recovered during their arrest.
The eight male suspects are also expected to appear at the same court tomorrow (14 July 2023).
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has strongly condemned gang related violence and vowed that police will work around the clock to ensure safety for members of the community. The General further applauded members for the arrest of the eight suspects as well as the recovery of the items.