Thabong, Free State - A 15-year-old alleged gang member has been arrested on a charge of murder, Free State police said on Tuesday.
The alleged Fire Boys gang member was arrested on Monday night after he allegedly stabbed a 30 year old man, police spokesperson Sergeant Mamello Mokhuoane said.
The victim, Simon Motseko Lenka, was allegedly a member of the TDK gang, he said.
Lenka was found hanging off a “devils fork fence” with a sharp instrument in his neck, not far from his home in Thema, Thabong.
“Members of the Thabong SAPS Community Service Center (CSC) Sergeant Tlalanyane Helepi and Constable Lebona Ramokhoase were patrolling when they were summoned, together with Emergency Services to the scene.
“At the scene they found Lenka who was identified by family members hanging on the devils fork fence. He was certified dead at the scene.
Sergeant Helepi and Constable Ramokhoase whilst on the scene received information and the description of the suspects from eyewitnesses. The two members swiftly followed up the information and caught one of the suspects, a 15-year-old who cannot be named as he is a minor and has not yet appeared at court.”
Police were still searching for the other suspects, also allegedly members of the Fire Boys gang, and have opened a case of murder.
The teenager’s father gave police a written statement, but did not want his son released into his custody, which is usually the case when the accused is a minor.
The suspect will be detained until his court appearance at the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on September 9.
Thabong police have appealed to anyone with information to contact them on 057 910 2300 or the crime line 08600 10111.
ANA