A 34-year-old man is expected to appear in the White River Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, following the murder of a community development worker from Mganduzweni, Andrew Thulare (46).
The incident happened near the Caltex filling station in White River yesterday evening.
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According to police, Thulare and his brother had offered the suspect, who is well known to them, a lift. They found him hitch-hiking in the direction in which they were travelling. Along the way, the brothers stopped for a break and went into a restaurant next to the fuel station. They left the the hitch-hiker in their car.
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That was when the man allegedly stole Thulare’s firearm which was hidden in the car, got out the vehicle and fled. The victim saw him fleeing and he went to check inside his car only to realise that his firearm was missing.
“He then pursued the suspect who turned in the victim’s direction and shot him before abandoning the scene,” explained Col Donald Mdhluli, a police spokesperson.
Security forces around the area gave chase and apprehended the suspect. He was found in possession of Thulare’s firearm and ammunition.
The police and paramedics were called to the scene. Thulare was declared dead on the scene by paramedics.
The police opened a case of murder, possession of a firearm and ammunition as well as theft of a firearm.
