The Westonaria Police are at their wits’ end about the area around the N12 and R28 crossing after a mother and father were murdered within earshot of their son.
Initial article: 10-year-old boy hears parents being shot
The double murder took place at the dangerous intersection on Friday, 19 August.
The only survivor of the incident is the couple’s son, a 10-year-old boy. The blood-spattered boy was allegedly taken to the Westonaria Police station by a motorist.
“The boy … had a terrifying story to tell,” said Captain Appel Ernst, Randfontein Police’s spokesperson.
The boy explained that he was travelling with his parents from the East Rand to Potchefstroom for the weekend, but the journey took a horrific turn. They hitchhiked as far as the N12/ R28 crossing and while waiting for another lift, a vehicle pulled up. The two occupants of this vehicle allegedly forced the family into the nearby bushes at gunpoint.
Once in the bushes, the boy was allegedly told to lie on the ground and keep his head down. Later, he heard screams and gunshots.
“When it became quiet, he walked back to the N12, where he was found by the motorist,” Ernst said.
Once the matter was reported by the boy, Westonaria Police worked throughout the night to follow up on the information and at daybreak the next day, the bodies of his mother and father were found. The couple’s personal belongings were missing.
The boy has been placed in the care of the family they were going to visit.
The Westonaria Police’s station commander, Colonel Selvan Moonsamy, and Sergeant Linkie Lefakane, the Bekkersdal Police’s spokesperson have both issued various warnings about the intersection.
Moonsamy was shocked at the two senseless murders. He said the intersection is regularly patrolled as it is a crime hot-spot.
He has highlighted that what makes the intersection dangerous is the absence of lights and the long grass which provides ample place for criminals to hide. Together, these issues make the intersection a breeding ground for crime.
The case has been handed over to the provincial investigation team, which will be following up on all available information. The team is said to have been trying to find the location of the suspects through GPS tracking.
Moonsamy urges anyone who might shed light on the incident to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
Also read:
Easter Sunday muredr: Victim shot dead in front of his son
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