HAZYVIEW – Another murder took place at a nearby guest establishment on Friday. This town has been making headlines for years as the area is under constant attack by armed robbers.
Mr Johannes Cornelissen (31) was declared dead at Ant & Elephant where he had been renting a cottage for the past few months. According to provincial police spokesman Sgt Gerald Sidebe, police were informed about a shooting at the establishment at about 21:40.
“We arrived there and found Cornelissen in a pool of blood.” The victim, who apparently hailed from Upington, had been shot in the chest.
Sedibe added that it was alleged that two men who were armed, had entered Ant & Elephant with the intention of robbing people. They couldn’t establish at this stage whether anything had been stolen.
Mr Etienne Soine, acting chairman of the Hazyview Tourism Association, said the organisation had called on both MECs for community safety, security and liaison (Mr Vusi Shongwe) and economic development, environment and tourism (Ms Pinky Phosa), to help decrease the high crime prevalence in the area.
“Phosa reacted and said she would call a meeting, but this hadn’t happened yet. We will continue to request increased policing in the area.” Soine also called on lodge owners to take responsibility for their own safety and that of their guests. “A lot of these establishments have easy access from the Sabie River side and lodge owners must beef up their security wherever possible.”
Sidebe concluded by requesteing anyone with information to contact WO Dolf Malumane on 082-492-3189 or
013-773-7824.
