Strand police have arrested a local man for allegedly fatally stabbing 60-year-old Weltevreden resident Adlai Meyer last week.

According to Colonel Jacqui Johnson, station commander of Strand police, a 23-year-old was arrested on Tuesday 31 March, after a murder case was opened at Parow Police Station and transferred to Strand following Meyer’s death.

The suspect made his first appearance in the Strand Magistrates’ Court on a murder charge last Thursday (2 April).

The case relates to an incident on Sunday 29 March just after midnight, when Meyer was walking home in Van Rheede Street, Weltevreden when he was approached by two men. They searched him before stabbing him multiple times (“Tragedy strikes in Strand,” DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 1 April).

He was discovered by a community member and transported to a local hospital before being transferred to Tygerberg Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries at 02:02 on Monday 30 March.

Strand detectives are investigating the motive and circumstances surrounding Meyer’s death.

The Strand community has been rocked by the incident and there has been an outpouring of condolences.Many shared fond memories of Meyer, while others expressed shock at what they described as a senseless killing.

 A memorial service for Meyer will be held at the Moravian church in Van Rheede Street at 19:00 tonight (Wednesday 8 April).

 The funeral will be held at VGK Die Strand, Rusthof, on Saturday (11 April) with the viewing at 10:30 and the service at 11:00.