Man kills robber in botched robbery attempt

An attempted robbery in Extension 6 went horribly wrong for the perpetrators in the early morning of Easter Friday.

Ikageng SAPS spokesperson, Const. Kelebogile Trom, says the intended victim fought off and killed one of six assailants carrying pangas and toy guns. When the police attended the murder scene in Jose Street, they found an unknown man, aged between 25 and 35, lying on his back with an open wound to the left side of his head. Next to the deceased was a black toy gun and a magazine.

It is alleged that the deceased was among the group of friends carrying toy guns and pangas. They tried to rob a man, who unexpectedly retaliated and ended up killing one by hitting him over the head twice with a brick.

According to Trom, the suspect handed himself over to the police later that day and was arrested for murder. The suspect also opened a case of robbery and alleges that the deceased was still alive when he left the scene.

Trom again appealed to the broader Potchefstroom community to avoid walking alone, especially during the early hours of the morning, when they could easily become targets of crimes such as assault, robbery, rape and murder.

“We condemn acts of violence among our community members,” Trom said.