A 37-year old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the murder of well-known businesswoman and taxi owner from Hermanus Julia Alam (59).
Police have confirmed that the suspect will appear in the Hermanus Magistrates’ Court today (Monday 11 August).
An extensive investigation involving the Provincial Serious Violent Crimes Unit was launched after Alam was gunned down by three shooters in the parking lot of Whale Coast Mall in Hermanus on Thursday afternoon. She was shot and killed by three gunmen who approached her as she exited the mall at approximately 15:40. Shocked staff of nearby businesses stated that they heard five gunshots.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa reports that several persons were questioned before the suspect was charged in connection with the murder. Authorities also seized two vehicles and a firearm. The shooting incident, said Potelwa, is believed to be taxi-conflict related. “Serious Violent Crime investigators are still hard at work in search of more suspects,” Potelwa added.
Sources told the Hermanus Times that one of the vehicles that were seized is a minibus that is believed to have been used as the getaway vehicle from the murder scene.
The management of the Whale Coast Mall shopping centre confirmed the “unfortunate incident involving armed suspects” in a statement released shortly after the shooting.
The statement further read: “The safety and security of our shoppers, tenants, and staff remain our highest priority, and we are taking all necessary steps to assist the authorities in their investigation. We urge the public to remain calm and avoid speculation as the investigation is ongoing. Additional security measures have been put in place to ensure continued safety at the centre.”
