Bar death man victim of gang’s cruel game

A MIDDLE-AGED businessman may have been killed by a gang that randomly picked fights with elderly people, South African police believe.

Hannes van Dyk was found in a pool of his own blood at a bar in the northern Limpopo province.

The 58-year-old’s death followed a spate of attacks where young men in their late teens and early 20s allegedly targeted people at random, News24 reported. A gang would visit a drinking spot, identify an elderly patron and harass him to provoke an argument, in a game called “drop a toppie”.

Once a fight or argument was underway, alleged gang members would pile in to attack their victim.

Mr van Dyk was found unconscious at the Royal Bliss Bar in Phalaborwa and was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital. He was reported to have been struck by an elbow between the eyes.

Early media reports said that he had argued with a man in the bar and the argument had “got out of hand”.

Police are now said to be looking into claims relating to previous attacks.

Eugene Mulder, 19, appeared in court on Monday charged with murder.

The case was adjourned until today.