Provincial spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, tells OFM News the suspect, who has already appeared before the Parys Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 26 May, and has been identified as Tumelo Rampaku. He is facing a single murder charge for fatally stabbing the 20-year-old Vuyisile Zina, as well as three assault charges for a separate matter.

Zina’s mother informed police her son left their yard in Tumahole township just before 11:00 am last week Sunday to fetch water from a jojo tank supplied by the Ngwathe Local Municipality. The area reportedly does not have running water available. Whilst still inside her home, she saw her 20-year-old son being chased down by a group of people into their yard. When she ran outside to see what the commotion was about, she found her son lying on the ground with a knife still lodged in his chest. Contrary to media reports, that alleged the incident was gang-related, Makhele says the detective in charge of the case says the group of young men that were chasing Zina, were not part of an organised gang per se. He says it’s more of a group of boys randomly “fighting each other and running around the location assaulting people”. The motive for these crimes remain unclear.

In an unrelated incident, Ramapaku whose age is yet to be confirmed, stands accused of ambushing another home elsewhere in Tumahole township and assaulting the residents in the home, namely: a father and two sons. Ramapaku will reappear before the Parys Magistrate’s Court on 3 June.

Makhele is mum on allegations the stabbing happened in full view of police. The public order policing unit from Welkom has been sent to Tumahole to profile the groups and keep a watchful eye on the seemingly tense environment.

Meanwhile Grace Radio SA reports Zina was laid to rest in his hometown on Saturday with pictures of police present at the funeral service.

OFM News