BULTFONTEIN – A 34-year-old man arrested after allegedly fatally shooting a 24-year-old man inside a tavern in Bultfontein, in the Free State, is expected to appear in the Bultfontein Magistrates’ Court today – on Monday 27 October. The suspect is facing a charge of murder.
Sgt Palesa Thabana, spokesperson for the police in the Lejweleputswa district, said the suspect had been arrested shortly after yet another fatal shooting inside a tavern on Saturday 25 October, at about 03:55. She confirmed that the incident had occurred in the township of Phahameng.
Officers who attended to the crime scene found an African male lying unresponsive in a pool of blood.
“Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the victim had a gunshot wound to his chest. The 24-year-old was certified dead on the scene by emergency services personnel,” Thabana said.
According to information, the victim and the suspect were seen quarrelling moments before the shooting incident.
“It is alleged that the suspect went outside, and upon his return into the tavern, he took out a firearm. There was a scuffle between him and the deceased, resulting in the suspect fatally shooting the deceased. The suspect allegedly fled the scene.
“Two used 9mm cartridges, one live 9mm cartridge, one pair of spectacles and a blue cap were found on the scene.”
Thabana confirmed that a case of murder had been registered for further investigation.
- This is the second fatal shooting at a tavern in the Free State this month, following the one in which two men were killed in Ventersburg, on 13 October. A 37-year-old man was arrested shortly after the shooting of the victims, aged 29 and 41. According to the information police received, the victims had been fatally shot after a heated disagreement escalated from simmering tension to an open and uncontrolled outburst. Police reported that the trio, of which one was the suspect, were playing a game of pool when an argument erupted between them, resulting in a brawl in the venue. It is reported that the suspect then went outside and returned armed with a gun, and allegedly shot both victims.
