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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Police across George had their hands full last week after six people were murdered in separate incidents spanning Conville, Pacaltsdorp and Thembalethu.
Two violent cases of house robberies were reported in Thembalethu, as well as three cases of attempted murder, in one of which the victim was a toddler.
Not only did these incidents send shockwaves through the relevant suburbs, but it could have a significant influence on this quarter's crime statistics.
In the first quarter of this financial year (April to June), George saw a total of 28 murders with 19 of those committed in Thembalethu.
Body found at dumpsite
On Saturday 2 September, the body of Thabang Tsi (28), a man from Thembalethu, was found near a dumpsite in Tabata Street, Zone 6. The victim was found at about 11:45 with several injuries, including a big open wound, to his head.
At this stage very little information is available about the incident.
Robbery leads to murder
A robbery on Friday afternoon, 1 September, where a group of men accosted and robbed a man of his cellphone and other items, led to murder as well as a house robbery in Zone 6 that same evening.
A series of retaliation attacks followed the initial robbery wherein one person was stabbed in the leg. The victim was rushed to a nearby clinic where he succumbed to his wounds.
Later that night, in what is alleged to be an attempt at revenge, friends of the deceased went to the suspect's house. At that stage however, the suspect was already at the Thembalethu Police Station where he was handing himself over. In his absence the group forced open the door and stole a TV.
VIDEO: George's quarterly crime stats expected to surge after 6 murders in 1 week
Man killed walking home
A man from Thembalethu was stabbed to death in Zone 6 on Tuesday 29 August while he was walking home from a nearby tavern. According to initial information, he was accosted by two attackers.
The victim sustained four stab wounds in the neck and chest. The suspects fled the scene. The motive for the murder forms part of the investigation.
Anyone with information regarding the above Thembalethu cases are asked to contact Thembalethu Detectives on 044 802 9906.
Group kills two in Conville
Conville saw two murders after a group of young men, armed with pangas and other sharp objects, attacked and killed two 51-year-old men in two separate incidents on Friday evening, 1 September near a tavern in Golf Street, Parkdene. Three suspects, aged 17 and 18 years old, were arrested.
The first murder took place at about 21:45 when three men were accosted by the group while walking down Golf Street. According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies, two of the victims sustained serious injuries and one succumbed to his injuries on the scene.
Later the same night, at about 23:20, another man was brutally attacked by the same group of men.
"The victim sustained injuries to his head and body before he collapsed. He was later declared dead by paramedics on scene," said Spies.
Two suspects were arrested later that evening. One of them were hospitalised, while the other made his first court appearance on Monday 4 September. The case was postponed to 11 October for a bail application. The second suspect will appear in court once discharged from hospital.
The third suspect was scheduled to appear in court yesterday, Wednesday 6 September. By the time of going to print he had not yet appeared.
Three arrested for murder in Rosedale
Police arrested three suspects after a man, Llewellyn Baartman (34), was attacked and murdered with a panga in Joseph Crescent on Sunday 3 September.
On arrival at the scene, police found the victim with serious head injuries as well as injuries to his body. He was declared dead by medical personnel on scene.
Three suspects, aged 20, 24 and 27, were arrested and appeared in the George Magistrate's Court on Tuesday 5 September. The case was postponed to Wednesday 11 October for their bail applications.
By the time of going to print the suspects' identities could not be confirmed by police.
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