Three suspects have been arrested after a 28-year-old man from Hawston was allegedly stabbed to death in Hawston on Friday night.
Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said that the incident occurred on Nasson Street at about 23:05 on 2 October.
According to police, the deceased, James Henn, was involved in an argument with the suspects. The argument allegedly escalated into a physical altercation.
“The suspects physically assaulted the deceased and stabbed him in the neck,” Gwala said.
Henn was declared dead at the scene by medical personnel. Hermanus police subsequently registered a case of murder and arrested three suspects in connection with the incident.
“Three suspects were arrested and will make their first court appearance on Monday 5 October,” said Gwala. Their next court appearance will be on Monday 12 October at the Hermanus Magistrate’s Court.
His family, left distraught by the fatal stabbing, remember him as James as a “quiet and reserved young man”.
‘I fell on my knees’
In an account of events, the deceased told his mother that he was spending the night with his uncle. His mother, Mertyl Henn told Hermanus Times.
“And when he left, I was at home knowing that he was safe and if he wasn’t, I’d know who to call,” Mertyl said. “I had just gone to bed when the neighbour’s son came kncoking on my door and told me that something happened. They took me to where James was and when I got there, they wouldn’t let me see him at first. Eventually, I saw him lying on the floor and I fell on my knees.”
When asked how she felt in that moment, Mertyl simply had know words to desrcibe the feeling.
An autopsy at the Hermanus Hospital Forensic Department, revealed that James was stabbed multiple times on different parts of the body. A body viewing revealed that the deceased was stabbed seven times. Twice above the head, as well as on the neck, arms and chest. Hermanus Times was on the scene and spoke to Mertyl and the deceased’s aunts, Charmaine van Wyk and Jaky Poole.
Yet above all else, his family chooses to remember their son as a graceful and loving father to his two-year-old baby girl. “He loved laughing and was a people’s person. He loved his baby,” Mertyl said.
The family will hold the memorial and funeral on Saturday 10 October in Hawston.
Alleged safety threats towards family
Meanwhile, a social media screenshot allegedly attributed to a community member which reportedly contains threatening language directed at Arthur Henn and Wade Henn, the deceased’s uncles.
The screenshot depicts a message from one person where Arthur is said to be “next”. The validity of the screenshot communication has not been independently verified.
“Given these allegations, [police] should also conduct a risk assessment concerning the safety of Arthur, Wade and any witnesses who may possess information relevant to the investigation,” said Tracey-Lynn Henn, chairperson of the Alliance of Citizens for Change (ACC). “If criminal threats were made, those responsible must be dealt with in accordance to the law.”
Tracey-Lynn – not related to the deceased’s family – said that the authorship and authenticity of the alleged post has not been independently verified.
Petition signed
Over 160 community members have since signed a petition calling for various actions by police following James’ death.
The petition also calls for authorities “and prosecution to place all relevant facts before the court and to oppose bail where the legal requirements for doing so are met”. It adds “particularly where there are legitimate concerns regarding public safety, intimidation of witnesses, interference with the investigation or the interests of justice”.
“James Henn’s family deserves answers. The community deserves reassurance that violent crime will not simply be accepted as part of everyday life,” adds the petition.
