BY Obakeng Maje

NORTH WEST WEEKEND CRIME ROUND-UP

MURDER

KHUMA:  On Saturday, 7 July 2012 at about 04:00 in the morning, a 22 year old man from extension 8 in Khuma near Stilfontein in the North West Province was stabbed to death on the left side of his chest .

It is alleged that the victim was at a night vigil at one of the houses at extension 8 when he decided to go out and buy cigarette. Upon his return to the night vigil he collapsed and was certified dead by the paramedics. It is alleged that the victim could have been murdered by members of gangs operating in the township. No one has been arrested and police are investing a case of murder.

VRYBURG: A  27 year old from Coleridge township in Vryburg victim was stabbed with a knife in the chest and died instantly on the scene. It is alleged  that he and his friend were from a local pub when they met with the suspect who stabbed him without any argument. The suspect is still at large and the police are investigating a case of murder.

KHUMA: Another murder case was registered in Khuma near Rustenburg, where a 23 year old victim was murdered by a 25 year old suspect. It is alleged the suspect and the victim fought at a tavern. The suspect took out a knife and stabbed the victim in the head, chest and left shoulder. The suspect was arrested and investigation continues.

MAKAPANSTAD: On 8 July 2012, the victim and his wife were asleep when the suspects force the door open and gained entry. The suspects took the victim to the other room leaving his wife alone in the bedroom. They bandaged the victim’s mouth and stabbed him with sharp objects and fled the house. They left the wife unharmed and traumatised. No arrest was made and police are investigating.

KANANA: A 22 year old victim was on Saturday, 7 July 2012, was killed in Kanana in Orkney location. The victim was from the tavern on his way home when he was confronted by the suspect. The suspect asked the victim for matches, and when the victim refused,  he took out a knife and stabbed the victim in the chest. The victim died on the scene. The suspect is still at large and police are investigating

ARSON

RUSTENBURG: About 50 shacks caught fire and burnt down in Boitekong Informal Settlement near Rustenburg in the North West Province. It is alleged that the victim (30 year old man ) got home drunk from a tavern and tried to prepare food. After he lit a paraffin stove he felt asleep.  The wind which came inside an open shack blew the paraffin stove and his curtains caught fire. He was admitted in hospital with serious injuries. His girlfriend age 23 years was badly burnt and was admitted at the hospital with serious burns.  A case of inquest has been registered and police are investigating.

In another incident  a man between the ages of 25 and 30 years from Nkaneng Informal Settlement near Rustenburg was burnt to death on Sunday, 08 July 2012 at about 02:40 in the morning. It is alleged that six shacks caught fire and one resident was certified dead by the paramedics. According to the information received, the deceased was asleep when his shack caught fire. Other shacks were also completely destroyed. It is still unknown what cause fire. A case of inquest has been registered. Police are investigating.

ARMED ROBBERY

RUSTENBURG: A 47 year old victim from Boitekong was robbed of his bread delivery truck at gunpoint. The victim was with his colleagues at Moruleng village delivering bread. He received a call from an unknown person who wanted to order bread from him. At about 13:15, the victim drove to the mentioned place where they were supposed to meet.  The suspect robbed them an undisclosed of money and cellphones at gunpoint. The suspects locked them into the back of their truck before fleeing the scene on foot. Investigation continues.

MAHIKENG:   The victim,  a 29 year old lady was walking in Sheppard street  in Mahikeng at about 21:40 when she was approached by suspects who forced her into their car, they tied her hands and feet with her shoe laces. They robbed the victim an undisclosed amount of money, Identity Document and two cellphones. They left the victim at the Park and drove off. Police are still investigating.

ZEERUST:  On Saturday, 7 July 2012, a 26 year old male was robbed an undisclosed amount of money and his vehicle, with registration number, B372AFU. It is alleged that the victim was driving to the bank to deposit the church money when he stopped to relieve himself. Suddenly two suspects on another vehicle  stopped next to his vehicle and pointed him with a firearm. One of the suspects robbed him an undisclosed amount of money and the car keys. The suspects fled the scene  and the victim sustained no injuries. The suspects are still at large

RAPE

MADIKWE:   A 12 year old victim was allegedly raped on 7 July 2012 at about 21:56. The  victim was asleep when the suspect entered her room through a broken window. It is alleged that the suspect  raped the victim and fled the scene through the same window. The victim reported the incident to her mother who took her to the police and the suspect was later arrested.

BOITEKONG:  On 7 July 2012, at about  22:00, a 22 year old victim was allegedly raped by her 28 year old uncle. It is alleged that the victim’s mother left her with her cousin when she visited her family in the Eastern Cape. According to the information received, her uncle  who was also staying in the house raped her. The suspect was later arrested.