Fisherman stabbed to death

A FISHERMAN has been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 38-year-old fellow fisherman from Mossel Bay.

The stabbing occurred in the Port Elizabeth harbour at about 1.40pm yesterday, following an argument between the two men.

The suspect, 28, is due to appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court tomorrow on a charge of murder.

The dead fisherman cannot be identified until his next of kin have been notified.

Both men were employed on Mossel Bay fishing vessel, the Mary Anne.

Police spokeswoman Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said the source of the friction between the two men was not known yet.

She said the men had been seen together at a shop near the harbour earlier, but had an argument when they returned to the vessel. The deceased sustained three stab wounds, including one in the neck area, Janse van Rensburg said.

A harbour employee, who did not want to be named, said the men had been arguing before the stabbing.

“Nobody really knows what they were fighting about. They were the only ones inside the vessel,” he said.

“The fishing vessel had been due to leave the harbour before the attack occurred, but had been delayed because there was not enough manpower on board.”

The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) confirmed the attack last night.

Corporate affairs manager Margorie Makama said: “I can confirm that in the course of an altercation between two port users at the fishing jetty within the Port of Port Elizabeth, one person was fatally wounded.

“The relevant authorities are investigating the matter.”