Cape Town - A 16-year-old is one of two suspects arrested for the gruesome murder of make-up artist Suritha Alting who was robbed and stabbed multiple times earlier this month.
It is understood the 28-year-old was walking home from a restaurant when she was robbed of her belongings and stabbed on November 12.
Titanium Securitas Medical Response team said they were alerted to the incident after a distress call about a woman who required urgent assistance in Carmine Drive, Richwood.
“On arrival, the woman was found unresponsive in the middle of the road with multiple stab wounds. Medical personnel worked tirelessly to stabilise the injured victim.
The patient was transported to a nearby hospital where she later died,” the response team said.
Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk confirmed two suspects were arrested.
“Two suspects aged 16 and 32 were arrested during the early hours of (Friday) for the murder of Suritha Alting. Both suspects are residing in the Dunoon area, Milnerton, and appeared in the Goodwood Magistrate’s court on Monday on the mentioned charges,” he said.
Ward councillor Miquette Temlett welcomed the arrests.
“I am very pleased with the arrest and even more so with the fact that different spheres of law-enforcement and the community worked so well together to get the suspects apprehended so fast. There has been a rise in contact crime in our area and we are working to find a workable plan to address this issue.”
Precinct armed response owner in Ward 5, Neal de Wit said: “We advise the community to... be aware of their surroundings, as on Sunday there were two robberies down the road in Bothasig.
A matriculant was robbed at knifepoint of his phone while walking, later that evening a couple was walking their dog when they were attacked as well, the husband was stabbed by the suspects. Precinct Response urges the community to report suspicious behaviour and report any forms of crime.”
Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Reagen Allen said he had sent his condolences to the family.
“We maintain that one murder is one too many, and we have to all work together to prevent murders from occurring. I call on all citizenry to be vigilant and work with us as we continue this fight against crime,” he said.
Cape Times