MOPANI – The police in the Mopani Area are investigating a case of murder, following an incident that took place at the Dwarsloop Trust Settlement in the Mhala district, where an off-duty security guard was shot and killed last Saturday.

According to a spokesperson for the police in the area, Capt Maano Sadiki, the deceased, Mr Frank Mavimbela (39), was on his way to his work station when the incident occurred. The statement indicates that the deceased left home at about 19:00 and took the footpath to his work.

Along the way, he was attacked by an unknown assailant. Mr Mavimbela was shot and killed instantly during the incident. His assailant vanished into the darkness after the incident. The police were notified about the incident shortly thereafter.

Upon their arrival, the police found that the deceased had five bullet wounds to the chest. The statement further indicates that the police had confiscated the 9mm service pistol of the deceased. The confiscated firearm was found in the possession of the deceased.

The motive for the killing is still a mystery to the police. In the statement that was released by the police earlier this week, they indicated that incidents of a similar nature are a true reflection of the fact that there are still a lot of illegal firearms that had not been surrendered during the amnesty period.

No arrest had been made at the time of going to press. In the statement, the police appealed to anyone with information regarding the matter to contact them through their toll free number 0860 010 111 or by making use of the suggestion boxes that are available at all police stations.

In a separate incident, a 16-year-old youth, whose identity cannot be revealed because of his age, has briefly appeared in the Sekgosese Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on a charge of murder. The case relates to an incident that took place at the Mamaila Village in the Sekgosese area last Saturday shortly before midnight, where a 20-year-old man, Stanley Rapetsoa, was stabbed to death.

Capt Sadiki said that the suspect and the deceased had met in the street during the night of the incident. A chilling argument ensued between them. According to the police statement, the core of the argument revolved around a girlfriend, who both of them claimed to have had a love affair with. The argument took an ugly dimension when the suspect allegedly produced a butcher’s knife and stabbed the deceased in the chest. He collapsed and died at the scene. The suspect was arrested the following day. He appeared in court on Tuesday. He was not asked to plead and the case was remanded to next Wednesday, September 21. The suspect will remain in custody until the next court date as his bail application was turned down.