A man accused of the revenge killings of six people including family members, were remanded in custody by the Alex Magistrates’ Court pending further investigation.
The murders, which occurred on 9 July in Ext 7, allegedly involved a hitman and a stabber, who are both detained. Alex police spokesperson Captain Allie Kodisang said the hitman was arrested at Jeppe Hostel with other suspects who were released by the court. The hitman and his gang also allegedly hijacked two vehicles for their getaway. The vehicles were recovered at the hostel.
The stabber, who is not linked to the hitman, seemingly triggered the revenge killings. It is claimed he approached a group of men in Ext 7 at about 8am and asked to talk to one of them but allegedly stabbed him to death before running away.
The group of men is said to have chased the stabber but failed to catch him. The police were informed and arrested him the same day.
It is claimed the group sought the help of the alleged hitman and his gang.
The hitman and his gang traced the stabber’s father and allegedly shot him dead at his home at about 6pm. At about 7.30 pm, they allegedly shot dead another man for reasons that were not explained. At about 8pm, they allegedly shot dead the stabber’s brother and girlfriend at their home. Two other victims, whose relation to the family wasn’t clarified, were also shot at an unspecified time and place and taken to hospital for treatment. One of them later died from his injuries.
A witness to the 8pm shooting claimed to have heard gunshots and saw two men with guns driving away in a VW Polo and Golf that had been parked outside the stabber’s brother and his girlfriend’s home. These vehicles were reported stolen and later recovered at Jeppe Hostel.
Details: Alex Police Station 011 439 7718/9.
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