Police call for assistance with double murder

POLICE are seeking community assistance after a double murder at about 11pm on Thursday in Willowvale.

Spokesman Captain Jackson Manatha said apparently the deceased, both bus drivers who were friends, aged 34 and 36, were shot as they arrived at the younger man’s home.

“The 34-year-old died instantly while his friend was rushed to hospital, only to be declared dead on arrival. The motive behind the murders is still not clear. The identities of both are being withheld pending notification of their relatives,” he said.

Manatha said anyone with information about the murders is requested to contact Willowvale police at (047) 499-6200/ 6213 or Crime Stop 086-001-0111. No arrests have been made.

● Msobomvu police have arrested a 26-year-old man in connection with the rape of a 17-yearold girl. Manatha said the victim was asleep in her home in Mchubakazi township, Butterworth, on Saturday at about 1pm.

“A friend of the young woman entered the room of the victim without knocking. She found the suspect raping the victim. The friend of the victim ran to inform the brother of the victim about the rape,” said Manatha, adding the brother caught the man in the act.

He was taken to Msobomvu Police station where he was arrested.

He will appear before the Butterworth Magistrate’s Court today.

● Four men were arrested for a cash van heist in Engcobo on Friday.

Mthatha police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said the truck was held up and robbed of its cash in the village of Mhlophekazi where it had gone to deliver pension payouts to community members.

“There was a quick response and a high-speed chase ensued that led police to Xaba forest. This was followed by a shootout in which one suspect was hit before arrests were made,” Fatyela said.

He said a number of firearms were recovered in the suspects’ getaway car but they had yet to recover the money.

The suspects – among them a former soldier, a mechanic and a taxi driver – are aged between 43 and 54. They are due to appear in the Engcobo Magistrate’s Court today.

● Cathcart police are investigating a burglary at the Cathcart Hospital on Friday in which a microwave was stolen.

Captain Namhla Mdleleni said no arrests have been made.

● King William’s Town (KWT) police spokeswoman Captain Siphokazi Mawisa said intruders broke into a Markham’s store in KWT at about 9pm on Saturday. They got away with clothing of which the value is yet unknown. No arrests have been made. —