Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of a woman from the De Zicht Estate in Richwood, the police confirmed on Friday last week.
Warrant Officer Jacques Mostert, police spokesperson, said the two were arrested by detectives in the early hours of Friday 18 November following the attack and murder of 28-year-old Suritha Alting.
The victim was attacked and stabbed multiple times in the early hours of the morning on Saturday 12 November, a week before. She passed away soon afterwards.
Detectives work around the clock
According to Mostert detectives received information pertaining to the case as a result of an arrest made by the City of Cape Town law enforcement unit.
“During their robbery crime prevention operations on the N7 highway, they made an arrest and obtained information regarding the recent murder outside De Zicht,” Mostert said.
The information was relayed to the detective commander Capt George Govender and detectives started to work on the information obtained.
Investigation officer Sgt Jonathan Kriel and his colleague Sgt Clifford Jaftha were supported by members from the Bothasig and Milnerton police stations, as well as the law enforcement unit. They visited an address in Dunoon where they arrested an 18-year-old suspect in connection with the murder.
The officers also found forensic evidence possibly linking the suspect to the murder, which was processed on scene by a member of the local criminal record centre, said Mostert.
“Information obtained by the detectives led to the arrest of another suspect, a 42-year-old male, also residing in Dunoon.
As a result of their investigation, he has also been linked to the case.”
Both suspects have been charged and appeared at the Goodwood Magistrate’s Court this week.
Following the murder residents of Richwood, De Zicht Estate and surrounding areas recently cleared a bush near the area in Sylvia Street, De Zicht, where the crime was committed.
Plagued by crime
Neal de Wit, owner of the private security company Precinct Response who also responded to the scene on the night of the murder, said he has been raising the issue of safety in Richwood for some time. “Richwood have recently been plagued with contact crime,” he said.
Hours after the attack on Alting, the bush located near to the estate was cleared. “We want to thank each and every one who assisted and applaud the community for standing together in making a difference. I would like to thank our clients who came together with donations to purchase two chainsaws to assist with clearing the bush around that area,” said De Wit.
Glenn Marais, Richwood Neighbourhood Watch chair, said several volunteers from surrounding communities and armed response companies assisted. “Those bushes and unkept property have been a hunting ground for criminals and several attacks have taken place on cyclists, domestic workers walking home, and residents in that area. Hopefully the City of Cape Town can get the ownership and enforce a clean-up of the area,” Marais said.
A vigil was held for Alting on Wednesday 16 November.
TygerBurger reached out to the family, who indicated that at this point in time they have nothing more to say.
