A man suspected of a gambling-related murder gave police in a South African province near the Zimbabwe border a run for their money this past week.
On Thursday, the Independent Online (IOL) cited a statement from Colonel Malesela Jonathan Ledwaba, the Provincial Commander of the Media Relations of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo Province, with details of the murder.
“Two males allegedly had an altercation over gambling money” in Sonkwane village, Ledwaba said.
stabbed the victim with a sharp object”
Police from the Mopani District of Limpopo responded to the scene on Sunday at around 4am, after “the suspect stabbed the victim with a sharp object.” Ledwaba added that “the male victim untimely succumbed to the stabbing wounds and was declared dead” by medical personnel on arrival.
The 29-year-old suspect had already “fled the scene on foot.” The Mopani District SAPS opened a murder case and together with local trackers and a crime intelligence unit orchestrated an investigation that “commenced with a massive manhunt” for the suspect.
The combined efforts paid off early Tuesday morning when police received a tip that their man was seen climbing up a mountain where he planned to hide, according to IOL.
“A search for the suspect was tactically executed at the mountain until he was cornered and subsequently placed under arrest,” Ledwaba told the press. The fleet-footed man will appear in court Thursday where he will face a murder charge. Under South African law, if convicted, the suspect faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. ?
