Kimberley - A Kimberley father was stabbed to death while trying to protect his son who was being attacked by a man carrying a pair of sheep shears.
Shocked community members gathered outside a bottle store in Roodepan where the body of Selwyn May, 45, was found on Saturday afternoon.
He was stabbed in the neck and was declared dead on the scene.
According to eyewitnesses the man wanted in connection with this incident was only recently released on parole and was seen carrying a pair of sheep shears shortly before May was stabbed.
The police were on Sunday still searching for the suspect.
According to Eddy May, Selwyn’s father, his grandson, Alistair May, came looking for his father (Selwyn) who was having an afternoon nap.
“Alistair was bleeding profusely after being stabbed in the arm when he became involved in an argument with the suspect. I do not know what the fight was about ... he just ran past the house, screaming for help. I told my son (Selwyn) not to get involved but he did not listen to me and went with Alistair to confront the suspect.”
Eddy said that he also went to the scene.
“Within a blink of an eye Selwyn was dead. Alistair kept on saying that his father was dead as he was being taken to hospital for treatment.”
Dorothy du Plooy was grief-stricken when she saw the silver blanket that was used to cover her son’s body.
“I was playing bingo at the church when my family called me to the scene.
“I initially thought that it was my 96-year-old mother.
“His death was so unnecessary because he was always peaceful and loving and never fought with anyone. Why did he have to die?”
Family members added that it was tragic that relatives, who had come to Kimberley to visit an ill uncle, would now have to attend Selwyn’s funeral.
“Selwyn recently left his place of employment at Mapogo security.”
Police spokesperson, Captain Olebogeng Tawana, said the Roodepan police were investigating a case of murder and attempted murder.
“It is alleged that the father was defending his son who had an argument with the suspect. He was stabbed to death while his son was transported to the hospital for treatment.”
He indicated that the police were still searching for the suspect who fled the scene. The investigation continues.
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