A murder case is being investigated after a man, who was found tied up, brutally beaten and left with a large hole in the back of his head, died on Thursday night.
A stone found near the crime scene is believed to have been used in the assault. The incident took place on the corner of Anson Street and Pretoria Road in Rhodesfield.
A security officer working at a nearby car dealership spotted a crowd of men who were allegedly beating the man but fled as soon as they saw him approaching.
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Kempton police spokesperson, Capt Jethro Mtshali, confirmed that about eight people are believed to have been involved in the man’s assault.
According to Alpha Security’s general manager, Mornè Le Grange, one of their officers, Dwaine Koeberg, was on duty at about 6.45pm when he was stopped at the scene by a group of people showing him the victim, who was lying on the pavement.
He immediately called for help from the Alpha Security Crime Prevention Team and ER24.
“Upon arrival I found an unknown male lying in a large pool of oil on the pavement in front of a car dealership. I immediately checked for any vital signs such as breathing and a pulse,” Koeberg explained, confirming that the victim was still alive on his arrival.
ER24’s media officer, Chitra Bodasing, confirmed paramedics assessed the victim. “He was found to have sustained severe injuries predominantly to the head. Sadly there was nothing that could be done for him. The man, believed to be about 35 years of age, was declared dead,” said Bodasing.
“The man had a large hole in the back of his head that was caused by blunt force trauma. A nearby stone suggests that it was used to hit the man. We think that he was doused in oil to be set alight,” Le Grange said.
The victim also had cables tied around his wrists. Police are still trying to identify the deceased. “We also appeal to anyone who might know him to assist us with details of the deceased, who was wearing maroon trousers at the time of his death,” Mtshali said.
Police appeal to anyone with information to call Det Sgt Jason Bramdaw on 081-463-6131 or 08600-10111. Alternatively SMS the crime line number on 32211.
