Weekends are a time of relaxation, escaping the office and kicking back with friends. But for two foreign nationals, this past weekend was a time of horror and heartbreak.
On Friday night, 6 November 2020, the two foreign nationals, a man and his girlfriend, set out from their rooms at Scrapco Metals in Guttenberg Street, with the intent to visit a nearby tavern.
Newcastle SAPS Corporate Communications and Liaison Officer, Lizzy Arumugam, explained that after purchasing their alcohol, the couple started making their way back to their rooms—it was then that two men approached them.
Arumugam explains, “The men asked them for a cigarette, and the couple refused. One of the men then pulled out a knife.”
The woman then fled the scene, chased by one of the two men. Her boyfriend running in another direction, pursued by the second suspect.
During the chase, the fleeing man decided to run towards his rooms. However, determined to catch him, the pursuing suspect flung a beer bottle at him and managed to slow him down.
It was then that things took a turn for the worse, the victim was found lying at the entrance of his room shortly afterwards, covered in blood.
Paramedics from ER24 responded to the incident but declared him dead on the scene. He was found with an open wound to his stomach—an injury which spoke volumes of his last moments on earth.
Security personnel on the street found one of the suspect’s jackets near the scene of the murder. Arumugam explains a thorough search of the area was then conducted.
She claims both suspects were found shortly afterwards, hiding at a factory on Guttenberg Street. They will now appear before Newcastle Magistrates Court.
The following members assisted in the investigation:
Vispol members Sergeant Birbal, Constable Nkoyne, Duty Officer Captain Ismail, Crime Office members W/O Mahabeer, Sergeant Emam and Sergeant Mpanza. LCRC member Warrant Officer NC Khumalo, K9 member Warrant Officer Kleinsmith, Rapid Response team Constable Du Plessis, as well as security companies Magenta and Votella, and community watch Amajuba ISI assisted in ensuring the arrest was made.
Author: Quinton Boucher
Edited: Calvin Swemmer
