By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Durban police have arrested a man and charged him with attempted murder following an incident in which two people were shot and injured at the Kings Park Rugby Stadium just before midnight on Saturday.
The Sharks hosted a fun and entertaining family New Year’s Eve party for patrons, on the outer fields, following the completion of the Cell C Sharks versus Vodacom Bulls game.
In a statement from The Sharks, a spokesperson said that 20 minutes before midnight, there was an isolated incident involving an off-duty police officer, who was attending the game as a patron and a member of security personal.
“In the process of our security escorting this patron off the premises, due to his non-conducive family behaviour and unruly conduct, the individual concerned drew his firearm and discharged a round which struck the security officer’s leg,” the spokesperson said.
Kyle van Reenen of Emer-G-Med said two men were taken to hospital in a moderate condition.
The security officer sustained only minor injuries to his leg, however, unfortunately the bullet ricocheted and struck another patron in their leg as they were passing by the incident.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said, “the circumstances that led to the shooting form part of police investigations.”
“Reports from the scene are that two men were treated and stabilised for moderate gunshot-related injuries before being taken to a nearby hospital for further care,” said Emer-G med spokesperson Kyle van Reenen.
In a separate incident, Limpopo police have arrested a 33-year-old man believed to have been the serial rapist who terrorised the communities of Bolobedu and Tzaneen between 2015 and 2016.
The Polokwane Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit arrested the man in Tzaneen on Wednesday.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said they had been probing at least seven rape cases reported to them between 2015 and 2016 and noticed they had similar modus operandi.
He said the man was arrested in the Tzaneen CBD after police received a tip-off regarding his whereabouts.
“Investigations revealed that the perpetrator targeted unsuspecting women on their way to Tzaneen and who did not know the area very well, or he offered assistance… in doing so, he would lure them to secluded areas.
“The suspect would then rape and rob the victims of their belongings. One of the victims was also hacked with a panga,” Ledwaba added.
The suspect would also target women hitchhiking on the R71 road to Phalaborwa and Giyani.
The man made a brief appearance at the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where he was charged with multiple charges of rape and robbery.
He will appear before the Bolobedu Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and again in Tzaneen on Friday for a formal bail application. Police said there is a possibility that the suspect may be linked to still more cases as police investigations are still continuing.