Free State police have arrested five people in connection with the murder of a man in a case of mistaken identity.
The murder took place on the morning of Sunday April 5 at 6:30 am.
Provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Palesa Thabana identified the victim as 36-year-old Johannes Mosemane Mollo.
“It is alleged the victim was traveling home to Bronville with a female companion on Sunday.
“The alleged suspects confronted them, and one of the female suspects identified the victim as Sandisile. The victim then told the suspects that he was not Sandisile; they had mistaken him for someone else,” Thabana said.
“It is further alleged that the suspects started attacking the victim and his girlfriend. The victim then tried to stop the women who were attacking his partner, which is when he fell to the ground. The suspects then fled the scene on foot,” Thabana said.
Police were immediately called to the scene of the crime, where they found the victim unconscious. Police also discovered that the victim had suffered three stab wounds to his back.
According to information, the deceased was strangled and stabbed with a sharp object by the suspects before they fled. A case of murder was subsequently registered for further investigation,” Thabane said.
Members affiliated with the Welcome Public Order Police (POP) received information from a citizen on Monday about the identity and whereabouts of one of the suspects.
“The information was followed up and the identified suspect was traced, leading members to various addresses in the Welcome, Bronville and Thabong areas where the remaining suspects were found.
“Five suspects aged between 23 and 32 were subsequently arrested for murder. A jacket and a sweater were seized from one of the male suspects. Both items were booked as evidence,” Thabane said.
The group is expected to appear in the Welcome District Court on Wednesday on murder charges.
IOL
Robin-Lee Francke
iol.co.za