Staff Reporter
At least three people were killed in separate incidents last night in a streak of violent attacks in the south-eastern Free State town of Zastron, while another one died after a shack caught fire.
The incidents, which occurred in just over four hours on Saturday night and into the early hours of Sunday, have left the small agricultural town shocked as people try to come to terms with the gruesome acts.
Three suspects have been arrested but provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Sam Makhele could neither confirm nor deny in a telephone interview with The Free Stater whether the alleged murders could be attributed to the availability of alcohol after sales resumed Monday or if they were gang-related.
“We cannot allege the availability of alcohol played a role or if this was gang violence,” said Makhele.
According to the police, in the first incident which occurred in Matlakeng township at about 8pm, a 24-year-old man was stabbed in the chest by two suspects aged 24 and 26 and he died on the scene.
It is alleged that they were fighting for a girlfriend.
Both suspects were arrested.
Moments later, the police say they were summoned to another area where a shack was burning.
On arrival, they tried to extinguish the fire.
A burnt body of an unknown male was found inside the shack.
Three hours later at about 11:15pm, another murder occurred.
Another unknown man was found stabbed in the neck and was certified dead on the scene by paramedics.
The last incident happened just before 1am today after three men entered a house in Matlakeng and ransacked it before assaulting a 36-year-old man they found inside.
In retaliation, the man is said to have stabbed and killed one of the three assailants.
The 36-year-old has since been arrested.
“At this stage these fights cannot be associated with any gangs – however, it cannot be ruled out,” Makhele said.
“Investigations are continuing. An inquest into the case of the man who died in the shack fire has also been opened.
“The situation has returned to normal. It’s now quiet in the town and we have beefed up investigations with a team from the provincial office.”
Meanwhile, Mangaung Police Station which was closed last week after one of the staffers tested positive for COVID-19 has been re-opened.
The police say the station has been decontaminated and all staff have been screened and tested.
Those that tested negative are back at work while those awaiting results remain quarantined.