Somerset West police are investigating a murder and an attempted murder case following the fatal knifing of an 18-year-old man and attempted murder of his 21-year-old friend in Sir Lowry’s Pass earlier this month.
According to Sergeant Suzan Jantjies, spokesperson for Somerset West police, the incident took place in Magwebu Street at 22:45 on Saturday 4 February, after the two men were allegedly attacked by a group of suspects known to them.
“The deceased was stabbed in the chest and died on the way to hospital, while his 21-year-old friend was stabbed in the neck and had a brick thrown at him,” Jantjies said.
“He managed to run to the home of a family member who helped him to get to a hospital.”
Somerset West police were contacted by staff of Helderberg Hospital and informed one man had died and the other had received medical attention.
The deceased was identified as Ashlyn Pienaar and his family confirmed he was on his way to have a haircut when the incident occurred.
“Police immediately followed-up and four suspects were arrested and positively linked to the murder case,” said Jantjies.
The teenage suspects, aged 16, 17, 18 and 19, briefly appeared in the Somerset West Magistrates’ Court and will remain in custody until their next court appearance tomorrow (Thursday 16 February).
Two of the three suspects arrested for the attempted murder are both 17 years of age and the third suspect 18.
The three suspects made their first court appearance last Friday (10 February).
They will also be back in the dock on 16 February.
Loretta Pienaar, the deceased’s mother described him as a calm and quiet person who had been looking for a job and had sent his CV to various companies.
Colonel Jacolize Fleischmann, Somerset West police station commander, condemne the incident and expressed her condolences to the deceased’s family, saying she was praying for them at this difficult time.
She called on the community of Sir Lowry’s Pass to work with the police together so solutions to address rising crime levels could be found.
Fleischmann added they will increase their visibility in the area.
Pienaar’s funeral service will be held at Kingdom Builders Ministries in Sir Lowry’s Pass at 09:00 this Saturday (18 February).
