Student held over death of robber
A Nelson Mandela University student was arrested after allegedly stabbing dead a robber on Sunday morning.
The dead man’s alleged accomplice was caught a short while later.
The information technology student, 23, whom police refuse to name until he is charged in court, was arrested just before 6am.
The student had been walking with friends to a nearby house after a party when he was allegedly robbed by two men – one armed with a knife – at the Campbell and Mackay streets intersection at about 5.30am.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the student, who lives at the Sanlam Student Village in University Way, Summerstrand, had managed to disarm one of the robbers.
“The student was walking home with friends when they were approached by two men, one with a knife,” she said.
“The two robbed one of the students of a cellphone, and a scuffle ensued.
“The student managed to grab the knife from one and allegedly stabbed him.
“During the scuffle, the other suspect fled and was chased down the road by the friends.
“A patrolling security vehicle spotted the commotion and the man was arrested.”
The suspect had been running down Evatt Street, towards Govan Mbeki Avenue, when he was caught.
Naidu said the dead man had been identified as Ali Msabaha, 30, from Tanzania.
“As protocol, the student was detained for murder while police verify his credentials and details of the event,” she said.
Naidu confirmed that the student had been inebriated at the time of the robbery, which prompted police to detain him until he sobered up.
“The detectives will still get a formal statement later.
“The friends also need to be interviewed to verify his version of events.”
The arrested man, believed to be about 25 years old, is also a Tanzanian national.
“Once we obtain all the reports and evidence, the docket will be sent to the National Prosecuting Authority to determine if they will proceed with charging the student for the [alleged robber’s] death.”
University spokesperson Zandile Mbabela said they would comment only once they had all the facts.