Man arrested for stabbing homeless Pretoria man

One suspect has been arrested after allegedly being linked to an attack on a homeless man in Muckleneuk, Pretoria, reports News24.

Captain Kay Makhubele confirmed to the publication that the accused faces an attempted murder charge after he stabbed a sleeping homeless man, who woke up to the attack, but managed to survive. He reportedly opened a case with police this week.

Other victims said the man’s identity was concealed by a hooded jacket, donning a large knife. Another victim said the man attacked him while he was sleeping at around 3am.

Muckleneuk has been the unfortunate location of the murder of five homeless men, the fifth of which was found at Mears Park bus station in June.

Four other bodies were found in the same area over three weeks, which fueled serial killer speculations.

Brigadier Mathapelo Peters confirmed to Pretoria East Rekord that investigations were underway and that all victims were middle-aged, male, homeless, and murdered during the night. Most of the victims sustained blunt force trauma to the head and stab wounds to the upper body.

It has also been reported that police have confirmed three of the five deceased have been identified, and that their identities will be made public once their next of kin are notified.

“A team of specialists from forensic services who include pathologists and criminal psychologists, crime intelligence and detectives have been tasked to investigate the cases,” police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

It is not known if he is involved in the murder of the five homeless men found in June.

Updates to follow as more information is made available.

(Compiled by Nica Schreuder, additional reporting by Noxolo Sibiya)

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