Mistaken identity costs man his life

WELKOM – Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of a man who was allegedly killed for a mistaken identity.

Members attached to the Welkom Public Order Police (POP) arrested three men and two women for the murder of Johannes Moshemane Mollo (36).

“It is alleged that on Sunday, 5 April about 06:30 the victim was on his way home with a female companion in Bronville. They were accosted by the alleged suspects and one of the female suspects identified the victim as Sandisile. The victim then told the suspects that he is not Sandisile they have mistaken him for someone else. It is further alleged that suspects began to assault the victim and his girlfriend. The victim then attempted to stop the females who were assaulting his partner that’s when he fell to the ground. The suspects then fled the scene on foot,” says Capt. Palesa Thabana, spokesperson for the Lejweleputswa SAPS.

“It is alleged that on Sunday, 5 April about 06:30 the victim was on his way home with a female companion in Bronville. They were accosted by the alleged suspects and one of the female suspects identified the victim as Sandisile. The victim then told the suspects that he is not Sandisile they have mistaken him for someone else. It is further alleged that suspects began to assault the victim and his girlfriend. The victim then attempted to stop the females who were assaulting his partner that’s when he fell to the ground. The suspects then fled the scene on foot,” says Capt. Palesa Thabana, spokesperson for the Lejweleputswa SAPS.

ALSO READ: Foreign National Arrested for Identity Fraud in Virginia

The police discovered that the victim was unresponsive. The deceased was found with three stab wounds on his back. According to information the deceased was strangled and stabbed with a sharp object by the suspects before they fled the scene.

A case of murder was then registered for further investigation.

On Monday, 6 April members from Welkom POP received information from a member of the public about the identity and whereabouts of one the suspects. Information was followed up and the identified suspect was traced and led members to different addresses around the Welkom, Bronville and Thabong areas where the remaining suspects were found.

Five suspects aged between 23 and 32 were subsequently arrested for murder. A jacket and a jersey were confiscated from one of the male suspects. Both items were booked in as evidence.