Three suspects have been apprehended following the murder of a 51-year-old man at Browns Farm on Tuesday last week.
Ben Tuzee had been looking to sell a television set via Facebook Marketplace. After receiving an offer on the social media platform, Tuzee and his niece arrived at Msenge Street around 9:45am on 6 September to deliver the goods.
However, he was attacked and fatally stabbed by three suspects who took off with his vehicle.
According to IOL, his niece was unharmed and survived the incident.
Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut stated that Tuzee’s murder is not an isolated incident.
According to Traut, a number of incidents have been reported of victims selling goods on the social media platform and then being asked to deliver in areas around Nyanga such as Browns Farm and Crossroads.
“It is on this basis that SAPS would like to issue a stern warning to the public that they must avoid making a delivery to an area that is unfamiliar to them, especially one with higher levels of crime.”
Three suspects aged 16, 18 and 23 have since appeared in a court in Athlone on charges of murder and hijacking, reports The South African.
“We have reason to believe that criminals use their interest in an advertised item on social media platforms such as Market Place as a decoy to perpetrate a robbery or other serious and violent crime, by luring their victim to come to them.
“This modus operandi must be avoided by rather meeting the potential buyer at a public place which is regarded as safe and familiar to the seller. Vigilance could prevent you from becoming a criminal’s next victim,” stated Traut.
Also read:
Karl Bremer cancer patient beaten to death by fellow patient
Picture: Unsplash