Arrest made at Eesterust church
A murder suspect is still in police custody after he was arrested on Monday night during a church service, police said.
The police are investigating a murder case after Jethro Uithaller (20) was arrested in an Eesterust church on Monday morning.
Maloo Visagie (26) was sitting in a car with his friends on Saturday morning when Uithaller emerged and shot him in the chest without warning. “His friends tried to save him by rushing him to hospital, but he was certified dead upon arrival,” said police spokesperson, Captain Jan Sepato. The suspect was recognised by a fellow church member during the church service, the police said on Thursday.
A Silverton police officer and Eesterust resident, Constable Eleanor Marian, attended a church service on Monday night at Zion Embassy Ministries when she noticed Visagie’s killer among the congregation.
“She then notified the pastor of Uithaller and together they apprehended him and took him to the police station,” Sepato explained. Uithaller is still in police custody after he appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. Meanwhile, police arrested three other suspects on Wednesday who were also involved in Visagie’s murder.
Sepato, however, suspected the murder was gang-related. “We received information that all the suspects, including Uithaller, are members of gangs. The murder investigation continues,” he said.
