Free State police have arrested five people in connection with the murder of a man in a case of mistaken identity.
The murder took place on the morning of Sunday, April 5, at 6.30 am.
ALSO READ | Kenisha Thompson killed and dumped near her home in Parkside
Provincial police spokesperson, Sergeant Palesa Thabana, identified the victim as 36-year-old Johannes Moshemane Mollo.
“It is alleged that on Sunday, the victim was on his way home with a female companion in Bronville.
“The alleged suspects accosted them, and one of the female suspects identified the victim as Sandisile.”
“The victim then told the suspects that he was not Sandisile; they had mistaken him for someone else,” Thabana said.
“It is further alleged that the suspects began to assault the victim and his girlfriend. The victim then attempted to stop the females who were assaulting his partner, and that’s when he fell to the ground. The suspects then fled the scene on foot,” Thabana said.
Police were immediately called to the scene of the crime, where they found the victim unresponsive. Police also discovered the victim had sustained three stab wounds to his back.
According to information, the deceased was strangled and stabbed with a sharp object by the suspects before they fled the scene.
A case of murder was then registered for further investigation,” Thabane said.
On Monday, members attached to the Welkom Public Order Policing (POP) received information from a member of the public about the identity and whereabouts of one of the suspects.
“Information was followed up on, and the identified suspect was traced, leading members to different addresses around the Welkom, Bronville, and Thabong areas, where the remaining suspects were found.
“Five suspects aged between 23 and 32 were subsequently arrested for murder.”
ALSO READ | Two suspects shot and killed by the police in Verulam
“A jacket and a jersey were confiscated from one of the male suspects. Both items were booked in as evidence,” Thabane said.
The group is expected to appear in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, on a charge of murder.
