The death of an 83-year-old grandfather, believed to have been killed by the same men who stole his granddaughter’s car, has sparked outrage in the village of Tshabo in Berlin.
David Baliwe was found dead in his home on Sunday morning.
Five suspects were arrested a day later but have subsequently been released by the Ndevana police due to insufficient evidence.
Thulasizwe Baliwe, his 26-year-old granddaughter, had found Baliwe lying on his bed.
Postmortem results showed Baliwe had been strangled and stabbed in the neck with a screwdriver.
Thulasizwe is the owner of an Aveo Chevrolet allegedly stolen by three men who entered the yard in the early hours of Sunday.
“Early Sunday morning I received a call from my mother who asked me where my car was. She said the police had found it near the river.
“As I was on the phone with her, a police officer knocked on the door at my boyfriend’s place and told me they had found my car damaged.”
At this time the Baliwe family did not know that the elderly man had been killed.
“I was taken to where my car was and I found it damaged. It was stripped inside and they took my radio face, they broke the windows and left many of their tools inside my car.
“The police officer told me I could not open a case as the car had not been insured,” Thulasizwe said.
It was later during the day that police discovered that Baliwe had been killed.
Thulasizwe said she was told the theft and murder cases would be investigated by police as they were linked.
Baliwe’s daughter Vuyiseka Baliwe said the incident had left the village divided after police arrested the five suspects, who were young people from the village ranging from ages 19 to 30 years old.
Police spokeswoman Lieutenant Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed yesterday that police were investigating a murder case and assisting in the car theft.
Mawisa said the police continued to trace the suspects.
“A community member informed police that there are allegations that three people were seen next to the house on Saturday night and five people alleged to be suspects were arrested on Monday.
“They were released yesterday as there was not enough evidence,” Mawisa said.
Police are awaiting fingerprint results due to come back today. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
Murder of elderly man, theft of granddaughter’s car linked
David Baliwe was found dead in his home on Sunday morning.
Five suspects were arrested a day later but have subsequently been released by the Ndevana police due to insufficient evidence.
Thulasizwe Baliwe, his 26-year-old granddaughter, had found Baliwe lying on his bed.
Postmortem results showed Baliwe had been strangled and stabbed in the neck with a screwdriver.
Thulasizwe is the owner of an Aveo Chevrolet allegedly stolen by three men who entered the yard in the early hours of Sunday.
“Early Sunday morning I received a call from my mother who asked me where my car was. She said the police had found it near the river.
“As I was on the phone with her, a police officer knocked on the door at my boyfriend’s place and told me they had found my car damaged.”
At this time the Baliwe family did not know that the elderly man had been killed.
“I was taken to where my car was and I found it damaged. It was stripped inside and they took my radio face, they broke the windows and left many of their tools inside my car.
“The police officer told me I could not open a case as the car had not been insured,” Thulasizwe said.
It was later during the day that police discovered that Baliwe had been killed.
Thulasizwe said she was told the theft and murder cases would be investigated by police as they were linked.
Baliwe’s daughter Vuyiseka Baliwe said the incident had left the village divided after police arrested the five suspects, who were young people from the village ranging from ages 19 to 30 years old.
Police spokeswoman Lieutenant Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed yesterday that police were investigating a murder case and assisting in the car theft.
Mawisa said the police continued to trace the suspects.
“A community member informed police that there are allegations that three people were seen next to the house on Saturday night and five people alleged to be suspects were arrested on Monday.
“They were released yesterday as there was not enough evidence,” Mawisa said.
Police are awaiting fingerprint results due to come back today. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos