| 2024/03/25 |
|
Media Statement NELSPRUIT – A security guard, identified as Wessel Badenhorst (55), was arrested on charges of murder and attempted murder. He already appeared at the Delmas District Court on Monday, 25 March 2024, and the case was postponed to 03 April 2024 for a formal bail application. For now, he remains in custody. According to information on 22 March 2024, around 22:45, Police as well as Emergency Medical Services personnel were called to a certain farm in Delmas. Upon arrival, they found a female with gunshot wound(s) as well as a security guard holding a firearm and there were also two vehicles at the scene. One of the cars’ windscreen was riddled with bullet holes. The other vehicle belongs to the security guard. The woman indicated that she came to the farm with a male friend however at that moment, she did not know where he was. What was more concerning to the members, was the vehicle that was riddled with bullet holes, belonging to the man, whose whereabouts was unknown at that point, as well as the empty cartridges found on the ground, next to it. A search was immediately conducted at the surrounding areas in order to find him. It was during this time when the body of a male person with multiple gunshot wounds was found. Personnel from Emergency Medical Services unfortunately certified him dead at the scene. The female victim managed to confirm the body as being that of her friend who disappeared during the shooting. A case of murder, with another count of attempted murder, was opened by the Police. After conducting preliminary investigations, the security guard was arrested on the said charges of murder and attempted murder. The firearm was confiscated for further investigation. Police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against the suspect as the investigation continues. The motive behind the shooting is currently unknown. The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has vehemently condemned the incident, more especially because of the allegations that the victims were shot by a security guard. The General further welcomed the swift arrest of the suspect. “We are hopeful that justice will be served for the victims,” said the General. Ends
Enquiries:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SAPoliceService
|
|
|
