A 36-year-old suspect was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and 15 years for possession of stolen property.
Both crimes were committed on 14 March 2016 on Frederick Drive, Northcliff.
Detective Warrant Officer Mathume Moraswi, who has been serving in the police force for 29 years, worked hard to ensure the case results in a successful conviction.
According to Moraswi, the deceased and his murderer met for the first time on the day at a pub. They went to the home of the deceased with the intention of being intimate.
“I was on standby when I was called to a murder scene. Upon arrival, the police and ambulance were at the deceased’s residence. The crime scene was then handed over to me.”
Emergency personnel revealed that the convict had been in the house at the time of the murder.
“When questioned, the then suspect (now convict) alleged that a robber had gained entry into the house and proceeded to assault him and the deceased,” Moraswi said.
The deceased, who appeared to have been brutally murdered, was lying in a pool of blood at the entrance of the house.
He had noticeable wounds on his arm which is an indication that he had tried to protect himself during the attack. A statue, vase and knife were also discovered near the deceased’s body.
“Upon investigation, I also noticed there were footprints next to the victim’s body. It was later revealed the footprint belonged to the convict and when he was searched, the victim’s cell phone was discovered in his pocket. I arrested him for possession of stolen property and transported him to the Fairland Police Station,” said Moraswi.
He proceeded to build a case against the convict, collecting his DNA and other evidence from the crime scene.
The 36-year-old was formally charged on 25 March 2016. Following a lengthy trial, the Zimbabwean national was found guilty on 22 September 2017 at the Palm Ridge High Court.
Fairland Police Station Commander Lieutenant Colonel Clive de Freitas said detective Moraswi’s reputation proceeds him and always goes the extra mile in his work.
“He’s very dedicated and is an asset to the police station.”
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