Man arrested for cop’s brutal murder

A JOINT operation by the DPCI Gauteng, Tracing Team Gauteng and Tracing Team North West led to the arrest of a 35-year-old foreign national for allegedly murdering a police constable.

Police spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said yesterday that the constable was sleeping at his friend’s house in Khayalitsha shanties, Lennertsville, in Keimoes on Wednesday night when he was attacked and brutally murdered.

“It is believed that the suspect was involved in an argument with the deceased three days earlier. (It is alleged that) the suspect entered the house, where the deceased was sleeping, through the window armed with a knife. The suspect then attacked the people in the house, during which the deceased was stabbed in the left side of his chest. The suspect proceeded to attack the owner of the house and stabbed him in the upper thigh. The suspect then fled the scene.”

Mogale said that information was followed up and the suspect was located at a house in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, where he was hiding and was arrested yesterday.

“The suspect is expected to make his first appearance at the Keimoes Magistrate’s Court on Monday, January 13. The investigation is still ongoing and possible further arrests are expected.”

The victim was named in media reports yesterday as Stephano Nico Visagie, 28, a well-known soccer player.

More than five shops owned by foreign nationals were looted in Rosedale in Upington following the incident, with residents reportedly evicting foreign nationals.

It was reported yesterday that 31 youths were arrested on charges of public violence, eight of whom were later released as they are minors.

By yesterday the situation was reported to be very tense, with a number of roads still blockaded.