Update: Possible lead in Farrarmere stabbings

Nearly eight weeks following the fatal stabbing of Amanda Lightfoot in Windermere Drive and the attack on Lishanta Rajagopal in Main Street, Farrarmere, members of the Benoni Police Station believe they may have found a man matching the description of the attacker.

According to Capt Nomsa Sekele, spokesperson for the Benoni SAPS, a body of a man was found on Third Avenue, Northmead on April 20.

“He had an Afro and was wearing a grey jacket and a yellow T-shirt with faded grey jeans. Investigations are continuing to establish his identity and a possible link to both cases,” said Sekele.

Amanda (18) of Atlasville was attacked and killed around 13:00 on April 14, days before her birthday in what was deemed an opportunistic crime.

The beauty student was waiting in a parked vehicle outside her boyfriend’s work when the man, armed with a knife, approached her.

“It appeared that a struggle ensued and that the victim was stabbed in the chest,” said Sekele.

“She was taken to a local hospital by her boyfriend and his father but was declared dead on arrival.”
On April 13, shortly after 13:00, a day before Amanda’s death, Lishanta was attacked by a knife-wielding man on Main Street.

She was leaving her place of work early when a man forced her car door open and started assaulting her with the back of a knife.

“The victim put up a fight and was subsequently stabbed in the head. Her cellphone fell on the ground, which the suspect picked up before walking away from the scene,” said Sekele.

“She sustained injuries to her nose, ear and head but was able to supply police with a description of the assailant. A motorist also saw a man loitering under a tree, not far from the scene of the crime.”

There have been no further attacks in the area following Amanda’s death.

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