REDDERSBURG – The Free State police have arrested a man (22) from Reddersburg in connection with a brutal gang-related knife attack on an 18-year-old victim. Police said the victim was currently admitted to a Free State hospital in critical condition, adding that he was reportedly attacked during a clash involving members of two rival gangs in the town, 60 km south of Bloemfontein.
The gang attack reportedly occurred on Wednesday, 20 May at about 16:00 and the suspect was arrested a day after the incident. It is believed that the suspect is a member of one of the two opposing gangs.
Lt Col Thabo Covane, provincial spokesperson for the Free State police, said the arrest was made following a tracing operation by members of the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit and Reddersburg Detectives. He said a preliminary investigation established that the suspect allegedly attacked the victim with a knife when the victim attempted to intervene in a fight involving members of the rival gangs – the BTK gang (commonly known as “8”) and the Maroma gang (known as “7”).
Covane said the victim was a bystander and was not affiliated with either gang. “He bravely attempted to intervene and de-escalate the fight. Tragically, the gang turned on the victim, stabbing him three times in his back. He was hospitalised in a very critical condition,” said Covane. He said the suspect was expected to appear in the Reddersburg Magistrates Court on Monday, 25 May, facing a charge of attempted murder.
