The arrest of a Malawian national after a young girl’s remains were found in a plastic bag in Hermanus, resulted in outrage in the community, looting and the displacement of hundreds of foreign nationals.
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The suspect was taken into custody on Wednesday afternoon after his car was spotted at the crime scene.
As news spread in Zwelihle, furious residents torched the suspect’s belongings, including his car.
An estimated 600 women and children were also forced to leave their homes on Thursday as foreign nationals were driven out of the area.
This comes after the body of the unknown girl was found mutilated in a plastic bag by people on their way to work on Tuesday (27 June) morning.
Speaking to IOL, Overstrand Municipality Deputy Mayor Lindile Ntsabo said at around 8.30am he was told of the grizzly discovery.
‘It was discovered that it was a child who was dumped; it is alleged that she was raped,’ he said.
Later, CCTV footage revealed that one of the vehicles in the vicinity was that of the suspect, who was then taken in for questioning.
‘Around 9pm a group of young people gathered in front of the man’s home and burnt the house, which the man was renting.’
According to police spokesperson Wesley Twigg, Hermanus SAPS registered a murder case after the body of an unknown female was found in Still Street.
‘The circumstances surrounding the incident are the subject of a police investigation. We can confirm that an adult male was taken in for questioning. The investigation continues.’
Subsequently, Twigg’s colleague, FC van Wyk, said the suspect in the murder case was released after his alibi was followed up and he could not be linked to the case.
Meanwhile, DA constituency head for Overstrand, Rikus Badenhorst, said Overstrand mayor Annelie Rabie activated two undisclosed community centres in Hermanus.
‘More than 600 women, children and men were accommodated overnight. Meals, bedding and mattresses were provided with generous assistance of businesses and residents of Hermanus.’
‘The DA Overstrand appreciates the support of Western Cape Minister of Community Safety and Police Oversight Reagen Allen and Anton Bredell, Minister of Local Government, as well as the SAPS in Hermanus, along with Municipal Law Enforcement and the Hermanus Community Policing Forum.’
‘We will continue to engage with the Department of Home Affairs, Immigration Services and the Department of Labour to encourage them to do their constitutional duties. Although we fully appreciate the community’s outrage at the murder of the young girl in Zwelihle, we condemn the opportunistic xenophobic incitement by members of local political parties being directed at civil society.’
On Saturday afternoon, police collected the looted belongings of the displaced people.
Community Safety and Police Oversight MEC Reagen Allen said he had engaged the police and the mayor about the xenophobic attacks.
‘We understand that the area was stabilised, we are positive that with the extra visibility of the law enforcement we will make sure the area remains so.’
Anyone with any information can contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
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