The Odendaalsrus community’s banding together and rising up against criminals ensured the arrest of two suspects accused of murder and attempted murder.
On 17 October 2023, at about 18:30, a police member was informed of a stabbing incident that took place in front of a club in Odendaalsrus.
Community members had already followed and identified the suspect. He was placed under arrest by the police official.
The victim was stabbed multiple times with a knife and hit with a wine bottle. A case of attempted murder was opened at the Odendaalsrus Police Station.
Sgt Andries Leshoro of the Odendaalsrus Detectives Services was the investigating officer for the case.
The 27-year-old Vuyo Diphoko was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment for attempted murder.
In another case, on 25 January in K5 Kutlwanong, police members were stopped by community members who informed the police of the whereabouts of suspects involved in an attempted murder incident near a tuck shop.
The two suspects, aged 44 and 25-years-old, were chased and apprehended by the community members, then handed over to the police.
The 53-year-old victim was rushed to the police station, where he succumbed to his stab wounds while awaiting the arrival of the emergency personnel. Through investigative work by Capt. Kaiser Chalube, the 44-year-old suspect was acquitted, whereas the 25-year-old James Makote was sentenced to ten years for the murder.
