In Christiana in North West, a 19-year-old suspect was arrested on Friday after he allegedly stabbed his stepfather to death, SAPS North West spokesman Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said in a statement on Sunday.

Police were called to a house in Marikana township, just outside of Christiana, where the body of a 43-year-old man was found with a stab wound in his back. He was declared dead on the scene by emergency medical rescue services (EMRS) paramedics.

"Initial investigations into the matter revealed that the suspect and his stepfather were involved in an argument, which led to the fatal stabbing of the latter," Mokgwabone said.

In an unrelated incident in Ventersdorp, also on Friday, police were summoned to a house in Tshing location in the early hours of the morning, he said.

On their arrival, a 56-year-old man was found on the floor with what appeared to be stab wounds in the upper body. He was also declared dead on the scene by EMRS paramedics.

"The police were initially informed that the victim was allegedly killed by intruders. However, preliminary investigations led to the arrest of the victim' son, aged 26, for murder," Mokgwabone said.

North West police commissioner Lt-Gen. Sello Kwena condemned both incidents, and applauded the SAPS officers for their quick response that led to the arrests.

"The provincial commissioner [Kwena] reiterated the importance of engaging in peaceful conversations and resolution of conflicts to avert incidents like these," Mokgwabone said.

African News Agency (ANA)