A passageway in Botshabelo’s Section H where a young teacher was killed, is notorious with a spate of robberies. This is according to people who reside nearby.
The passage is about 55 feet (16 m) long and borders the Setjhaba se Maketse Combined School and private houses.
People in this neighbourhood say they did not notice someone was being attacked the night Fezile Frederick Mnyobisi (35), the teacher, was killed. They realised this alongside the police in the morning, with bloodstains on the ground in the passage. They say they became aware as the news spread that the victim was a teacher.
However, according to some occupants, this was the first murder incident they came to know of, stating the passage is notorious due to a spate of robberies at night. Crime elements capitalise on the “blanket of the darkness” overshadowing the area and the passageway.
Mnyobisi died due to multiple stab wounds he sustained during his attack on 15 September. He worked at the Refihlile Primary School in Section C. Mnyobisi’s horrific killing has sent a shock wave throughout the community, while his family is reeling from grief.
He was buried in his home in the Eastern Cape on 24 September.
Lt. Col Thabo Covane, spokesperson of the police in the Mangaung Metro, said, according to a preliminary investigation, robbery was the motive for Mnyobisi’s murder. He said the deceased was robbed of his Samsung Galaxy A04s.
Covane said that Mnyobisi was declared dead by a surgeon at the Botshabelo District Hospital, after being rushed to the hospital by his wife in a private vehicle. Covane said a murder case was opened at the Botshabelo Police Station for further investigation, and a manhunt was launched to trace the murderers.
The police are appealing to members of the public to assist with information that can lead to the locating and arrest of suspects in this case. Those with reliable information can contact the investigating officer, Sgt Pakiso Elias Maja, on 082-466-8341, or the nearest police station. Alternatively, people can submit information on the MySAPS App, or call the Crime Stop number 08600-10111.
