Station commander thanks community

Cleveland SAPS station commander, Colonel Bongani Dlamini, thanked the community at the recent Cleveland Community Police Forum. Malvern resident, Ms Natalie Dube, was found dead in a store room at the Rusty Lady Deli Bistro in Queen Street, in Kensington, on July 9.

Her feet and hands were bound with electrical cords, her throat was slit and she had stab wounds.

Cleveland SAPS police officers followed up on information received from community members. They arrested a 39-year-old man at a hotel in Edenvale the same day.

According to the SAPS, the man had previously been arrested for rape by the Benoni SAPS in 2002. He was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. He was also found guilty in a theft case and given a suspended sentence prior to the rape case.

“Thank you to the community who provided us with information. It is because of you that the arrest was made. Information from the community about crimes is important. Please continue to provide us with information,” said Cleveland SAPS station commander, Colonel Bongani Dlamini.

Just a few weeks after this incident, a mother and daughter were found dead in a townhouse in Bruma.

The mother (84) was handcuffed and the daughter’s (64) hands were bound with rope.

Nothing was taken from the premises and the motive is unknown. Police are still searching for the gardener who went missing. Col Dlamini urged the public to come forward with information.

“I appeal to the community for help. We have had too many murders since July. There were murders in the Denver area. A loss of life, even if it is one, is one too many. Please come forward,” said Col Dlamini.

The man arrested in connection with the murder of Ms Dube was due to appear in the Johannesburg High Court yesterday. At the time of going to print, the outcome was unknown.