OUTCRY OVER DEVIL’S FORK MURDER
‘The community are not afraid of taking revenge if he is granted bail, as they do not feel safe. An innocent life has been brutally taken’
COMMUNITY members are calling for the court to deny bail to a murder accused who allegedly stabbed a police officer to death with a piece of devil’s fork fence.
The accused, Andile Kok, is expected to make a formal bail application in the Barkly West Magistrate’s Court on March 17.
Angeline Wahutie from the ANC Women’s League claimed that the accused had wanted to reunite with the deceased, Pelonolo Phillipus, 27, who was his former girlfriend.
“The community are not afraid of taking revenge if he is granted bail, as they do not feel safe. An innocent life has been brutally taken,” warned Wahutie.
Delportshoop ward councillor Richard Springbok added that Phillipus had joined the police force three months ago.
“She was stationed in Kuruman and was visiting her sevenyear-old son, who was cared for by his grandmother in Delportshoop, around the time of the incident. She had visited a tavern during the evening of March 3 with some friends. She was hit over the head with a beer bottle at the tavern. She was stabbed several times with a piece of devil’s fork fence that was lying in the yard when she arrived home.”
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-colonel Sergio Kock said the police were investigating the murder of an off-duty police constable.
“It is alleged that she and her boyfriend were involved in an argument, when he stabbed her several times with a sharp object on March 3 in Delportshoop. Sadly, she succumbed to her injuries,” said Kock.
He added that the 32-year-old suspect was arrested and briefly appeared in the Barkly West Magistrate’s Court on March 11.
“The case was remanded until March 18 and he remains in custody. The investigation continues.”
The Northern Cape provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-general Koliswa Otola condemned the murder of the constable who was based at Wrenchville police station.
She expressed her sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of the deceased member.
“The SAPS chaplain from the employee health and wellness section will support
the family and colleagues during this tragic time.”
She reiterated that gender-based violence and femicide-related crimes remained a priority for the police and would be addressed vigorously.
The MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Nomandla Bloem, condemned the attack on the young constable as well as any attack on any member of the SAPS.
She extended her condolences to the bereaved family and the constable’s colleagues.
“Gender-based violence and femicide is an extremely serious matter.”
The spokesperson for the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, Rennie Andrias, added that the MEC would be provided with regular updates from the SAPS senior management on the progress of the investigation.
“She visited the family to pay homage to the fallen member of the SAPS,” said Andrias.
“The matter is still under investigation, a complete report will be handed over to the MEC.”