King William’s Town - Two murder suspects were among 62 people arrested at the weekend in the King William's Town area, Eastern Cape police said on Monday.
A tavern owner was stabbed to death during a fight with two patrons on Saturday evening, said Lieutenant Siphokazi Mawisa.
The 36-year-old man was stabbed several times by two men in Zwelitsha, near King Williams Town, she said.
“A fight ensued after which the two patrons overpowered the owner and fatally wounded him,” Mawisa said.
One was arrested and the other hospitalised as a result of injuries suffered during the fight. The 26-year-old man would appear in the Zwelitsha Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.
Mawisa said the 62 arrests were part of an ongoing crime prevention operation within the King William's Town “cluster”.
“The Paseka operation include police patrols, stop and searches, raiding, and shutting down illegal shebeens,” she said.
The age of the suspects arrested at the weekend ranged between 19 and 51.
“Suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from shoplifting, theft, malicious damage to property, common robbery, drunken disorderly, rape, housebreaking, theft, and common assault.
“King William's Town cluster police are working around the clock to ensure that (criminals) are put behind bars for the crimes they've committed in our policing precinct,” said Mawisa. - Sapa