Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Dimakatso Mooi, said the police are investigating a case of murder after the headless body of an 18-year-old man was found in the veld in Pampierstad over the weekend.
A 16-YEAR-old suspect is in custody after an 18-year-old man was beheaded in Pampierstad over the weekend.
The police found the head of the deceased hidden in a shanty under a bed on September 13.
Community members stated that it was believed that the suspect used a panga to decapitate the body.
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Dimakatso Mooi, said the police are investigating a case of murder after the body of an 18-year-old man was found in the veld.
“In the early hours of September 13, the police were called to a scene where the beheaded body of a man was found dumped in a water pipe just outside town. A preliminary investigation led the police to a shanty where the head was found hidden under a bed. It is not clear at this stage as to what led to this gruesome act. The murder weapon is also the subject of the investigation.”
Mooi added that a 16-year-old boy was arrested and was expected to appear in the Hartswater Magistrates Court soon.
“The 16-year-old suspect is a minor who is being kept in custody under the Children’s Act. Social workers have been involved in the case and once all due processes have been followed, the suspect will appear in the court.”
The police request that anyone with any information regarding the incident to contact the station commander on 082 822 3077 or the Crime stop line 08600 10111.
“All information received will be treated as confidential. Police investigations continue.”
The convenor of the Youth Must Rise campaign, Michael Sethlogomi, stated that they assisted the police to search for the perpetrator on Sunday.
“At first only the body of the deceased was found. We assisted the SAPS mounted and dog units to search the stretch of veld for the severed head.”
Sethlogomi pointed out that the suspect was a minor and they were uncertain as to whether he would be released from custody.
The Youth Must Rise campaign marched to the Pampierstad police station on September 11 to hand over a memorandum regarding fears that the Phokwane district was being overrun by drug lords and criminals.
Sethlogomi said that he was concerned that drug abuse among youths was resulting in violent and inhumane crimes.
A 19-year-old Pampierstad teenager, Tebogo Segae, will return to the Pampierstad Magistrates Court on October 20 on charges of killing his parents on August 27.
It is believed that the bodies were dragged behind a moving vehicle and later dumped in the veld.
ANC Frances Baard regional spokesperson, Tshepo Louw, stated that the deceased, Lucky Maxambele, was involved in the ANC youth structures in Pampierstad.
“He had so much potential. His death was cruel and brutal. Youths of the movement will picket outside the court when the suspect returns to court. The ANC in Frances Baard Region sends its heartfelt condolences to the family. We will continue to support them and make sure the perpetrators are arrested so that justice can be served.”
He added that the ANC regional chairperson, Mangaliso Matika, along with a delegation would visit the family on Wednesday.
Louw was also concerned about the escalation of violent crimes in the Phokwane region.
“The past three weeks have been inundated with brutality, murders and assaults in several areas of Phokwane. The ANC is calling upon the municipality to fix street lights and ensure the safety of our community.
“Community members should report the perpetrators and support the police in the fight against these crimes. The community must never take the law into their hands and should have confidence in law enforcement agencies.”
