The Waterval SAPS made a breakthrough on Monday when they arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of a 24-year-old man who was stabbed to death at a local tavern on Sunday.

Mr Fannuel Maluleke of Valdezia village in the Waterval area was allegedly stabbed to death while sitting in his parked car outside the Munyuku Tavern. According to the police report, Maluleke was approached by three suspects who asked him for a lift home. When Maluleke refused to offer them a lift, they started fighting with him and ended up stabbing him several times. Mr Maluleke ran to a nearby bush, where he apparently fell and died.

The two other people who were in the car at the time of the incident were also stabbed by the assailants. They were later rushed to the Elim Hospital. Community members who witnessed the incident were able to supply the police with information and three suspects were subsequently arrested. The two people who were admitted to hospital were discharged on Tuesday.

According to the spokesperson for the Waterval police, Insp Kedibone Mabatha, the incident occurred at about 03:00 on Sunday morning. A case of murder was opened and the police followed up on the leads provided. “We managed to make a breakthrough and arrested three suspects from Valdezia. We arrested Walter Ngobeni (24), Vincent Chauke (19) and Sipho Ngobeni (19),” said Mabatha.

The popular tavern has seen similar incidents in the past.

Insp Mabatha urged community members to refrain from engaging in criminal activities. He also encouraged community members to continue working closely with the police. “We are now slowly winning the war against crime in the area. Together, we can,” said Mabatha.

The suspects appeared in court again on Wednesday.