TWO men were quickly arrested for the murder of Anele Gumbi in Mobeni on Saturday, 8 August.
At about 4.30am, 20-year-old Gumbi was drinking at a tavern at the SJ Smith Hostel with his girlfriend, Sisonke and his cousin, Sihle Mpofana.
For reasons unknown at this point, two other men in the tavern started a fight with Mpofana, hitting him with pool cues. During the scuffle he was also stabbed in the left arm with a knife.
Gumbi came to Mpofana’s aid, but after being repeatedly assaulted with pool cues, he ran from the tavern.
After injuring Mpofana, the two men chased after Gumbi, stabbed him in the chest with a broken bottle and fled from the hostel.
Gumbi was rushed to Wentworth Hospital with his cousin, but was declared dead on arrival. Mpofana suffered the stab wound to his arm and injuries to his leg and head.
While investigating the case, Montclair SAPS’ Warrant Officer Rico Naidoo was given information on Monday, 10 August that one of the assailants was back at the hostel. The 29-year-old was arrested by W/O Naidoo with assistance from Montclair SAPS crime prevention and crime offices and Brighton Beach SAPS crime intelligence. The following day, his 24-year-old accomplice was also arrested by the warrant officer and Brighton Beach SAPS crime intelligence.
Both men have been charged with murder and attempted murder and are expected to appear in a Durban court on Thursday, 13 August. The 29-year-old already has a case of murder against him for the 27 September 2014 fatal stabbing of Thabiso Delani Mbokazi, outside block D at SJ Smith Hostel.
“Montclair SAPS management commends the officers for the arrest of the suspects,” said communications officer, W/O Poobalan Marimuthu.
