According to the communication officer, Captain Eddie Boboko, a fight broke out between a resident and two men at a tavern in the Xhosa Section formal area at about 23:35 on 15 May. A witness soon stopped the fight. Later, the same witness called the man’s friends and said he had been stabbed. “They went looking for the de- ceased and found him near B- Section. They took him to Khutsong’s main clinic, where he succumbed to the injuries to his upper body,” says Boboko. Constables from police crime prevention and sector members, Conrad Mutangwa, Dankie Rikhotso, Patson Mabhilitshwana, Priscilla Moitsheki and Siyabonga Tom were called to the scene and started searching for the man’s murderers. They tracked the suspects down elsewhere in Xhosa Section and found the deceased’s firearm in their possession. The suspects, aged 24 and 31 years, were charged with murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm. The suspects appeared in the Khutsong Magistrate’s Court on Monday and were denied bail.
Another murder took place at one of the taverns at Chris Hani Section in Khutsong at about 18:15 on 16 May. According to a witness, the suspect stabbed the deceased during an argument. The victim succumbed to the injuries to his upper body. The police are still searching for the murderer and ask the com- munity to assist them with infor- mation that would lead to his arrest. The Khutsong station commander, Colonel Melinda Prinsloo, condemned the killings around drinking places. She was impressed by the performance of the members and applauded them for their dedication and hard work. She advises tavern owners to place security guards at their businesses to conduct searches on every customer. This would prevent dangerous weapons or illegal firearms from ending up on their premises. She further thanked the community for assisting the police with the information that led to the arrests. “We will continue maintaining law and order and make sure that the Khutsong residents are and feel safe. Those found to be on the wrong side of the law must be brought to book. We urge the community to continue sharing information with the Khutsong SAPS at 018 783 9022/23/24, the Crime Stop Hotline at 08600 10111 or the My SAPS app. You can report crime anonymously,” she says.
