TWO men were convicted of a fatal stabbing that took place at the SJ Smith Hostel on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at about 07:30.
Sphesihle Mthethwa (23) and Zamani Dlamini (24) were recently convicted for the killing of 30-year-old Mphilisi Sithole.
The two aggressively chased Sithole near the beer hall. According to the spokesperson of Montclair police, Captain Derek Vijiam, the then suspects grabbed hold of the victim from the rear.
“They stabbed him with a large spear and he fell to the ground. Witness called the police. Sergeants Sifiso Shezi and Bhekumuzi Dlamini from SAPS Montclair Serious and Violent Crime unit were tasked to investigate. They dispatched their informers after combing the crime scene thoroughly,” he said.
The informers traced a suspect to an informal settlement in Lamontville. Both detectives proceeded there with the witness who positively identified the suspect as one who was involved in the murder.
“He was arrested and detained at SAPS Montclair. Later, the second suspect was arrested near Jabula stores. Both were charged and appeared in court a few times. Finally, they appeared in K Court on Friday, October 8 and were convicted for the crime of murder. They were sentenced to six years to imprisonment each,” said Vijiam.
“Management congratulates our young seasoned detectives for their diligence and dedication for always displaying professionalism in their core function and bringing some semblance of sanity to the deceased’s family,” he added.
Business robbery and attempted murder
A CASE was opened after seven suspects with firearms held garage staff members at gunpoint on Monday, October 25 at about 02:00. Detectives are investigating the shoot out that happened at Caltex garage on South Coast Road Clairwood.
“A metallic silver-grey Toyota Corolla with seven occupants arrived at the garage. They requested the attendant to fill R50 petrol. A passenger in the rear seat alighted the vehicle and cocked a firearm in his hand.
“He placed it against the attendant’s stomach. He then instructed the attendant to walk to the pay point. Once inside they instructed the cashier to open the main door and she refused,” said Vijiam.
He said another suspect then sprayed pepper-sprayed the pay point area which made the cahier open the door. The suspects thereafter assaulted the cashier with a firearm causing her to bleed.
“They went into the kitchen and instructed the staff to come out. The suspects wore masks as they removed cash from the till. During this period an armed response officer from ET Rapid Response arrived and his vehicle was shot multiple times.
“The officer was also shot in the leg. As the officer took cover, the suspects made their getaway in their vehicle with no registration. Sergeants Sifiso Shezi and Bhekumuzi Dlamini are investigating,” he said.
Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to report it to CrimeStop on 086 001 0111.
Assault on police, resisting arrest, malicious injury to property and failure to be confined
RESIDENTS are reminded that the country is still observing level one of lockdown. As such, curfew is between 00:00 and 04:00. This comes after an incident at Montclair Mall on Sunday, October 24 at about 02:15.
A police officer saw a suspicious vehicle that had been parked there for a long period of time. The police proceeded to the scene at the mall.
“When the occupants were approached, they were found consuming alcohol. The occupants became enraged, aggressive and violent. They attacked the police officer and assaulted her and with her claw-like nails causing injury to her face.
“The officer called for backup and during this period, the victim’s spectacles were damaged. The suspect resisted arrest. They were eventually arrested and placed under detention. Suspects were charged and sent to court. The police officer was treated by a medical practitioner,” said Vijiam.
Carjacking
A MAN parked on his driveway was stabbed and carjacked on Tuesday, October 26 at about 12:50 on Mitford Road, Woodlands. According to Vijiam, the man was in his car busy on his cellphone when he was surprised by two unknown men.
“He was approached by one of them who was armed with a knife. The knife-wielding suspect demanded his car keys thereafter stabbed the victim on his shoulder.
“They took the victim’s vehicle a VW Toureg and drove off. The assailants used a white vehicle with unknown registration. The victim was rushed to Wentworth Hospital,” he said.
Robbery with firearm
A DELIVERY man was robbed at gunpoint just as he had finished making a drop off of food with his scooter on Bangy Road, Montclair on Wednesday, October 20 at about 14:20. On his return to his scooter, he was accosted by two armed men.
“One carrying a firearm and the other had a knife. They used these weapons to threaten the victim and demanded his cellphone. He attempted to run away, however, they held him back. The items were forcibly removed. They got into their white Toyota Etios without registration and drove off,” said Vijiam.
Robbery with firearm
A WOMAN was caught trying to make away with food items from a supermarket in Montclair. A security officer at Pick n Pay noticed the woman hurriedly walked past the till point with a bag on Thursday, October 21 about 13:20.
“The officer followed her and the suspect started running. She was apprehended and taken to the control room. There, the bag was opened and it contained pork sausages and chicken cheese viennas. The suspect was arrested and detained. She was charged and sent to court,” said Vijiam.
