Killed for refusing to sell cigarettes

POLICE have made a breakthrough after a Malmesbury shopkeeper was stabbed to death and another was wounded when they apparently refused to sell cigarettes to their alleged attacker.

Cases of murder and attempted murder were opened following Wednesday’s incident, according to police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo.

He said the shopkeepers of Kalbaskraal Superette, 20km from Malmesbury, were in their sleeping quarters at the back of the shop after they closed at 6pm.

“They heard a knock and asked who it was. The person identified himself and because they knew who it was, they opened the door.

“The visitor asked the shopkeepers if he could buy cigarettes. They said no and an argument ensued. The suspect then stabbed the two shopkeepers with a knife. Both were stabbed once in the neck.”

Naidoo said that by the time police arrived, along with the ambulance, one of them, a 27-year-old, had died.

“The second victim was taken to a local hospital where he is being treated.”

Naidoo said the suspect fled but was arrested yesterday in Belhar.

Malmesbury Community Police Forum member Cynthia Slingers said: “It’s so sad that at a time such as this, when we should have respect, patience, consideration for each other and our circumstances, something so terribly unnecessary and tragic should happen.”

She said the community was feeling the strain of the lockdown and crime continued to be an issue. “There’s a pot full of emotions, like all over the Western Cape. The Swartland Communities are not spared incidences of violence.”

Meanwhile, the City’s law-enforcement agencies have confiscated 23 092 units of cigarettes and 529 units of alcohol since the start of the lockdown.

They have conducted 148 179 interventions in Bellville, Nyanga, Cape Town, Delft, Khayelitsha, Lentegeur, Milnerton, Wynberg and Faure clusters.

Some 870 shops and shebeens have been closed after being inspected.