Two men have been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment each for the brutal murder of a man in Gersham, Kuils River in March last year, following an investigation by Kuils River Police.
Maruwaan Sapud (38) and Marius Molemo (34) were convicted for the fatal stabbing that occurred on Friday 29 March 2024 at approximately 09:00 in Ryan Street.
The victim was attacked by the duo in the presence of two witnesses, who later played a crucial role in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Drug money
According to witness testimony, the attack was motivated by a dispute over drug money.
The suspects, who were known to the witnesses as friends of the deceased, approached the victim and began stabbing him with knives while demanding payment.
Apparently the victim attempted to stand up but the attackers cornered him and continued stabbing him until he succumbed to his injuries.
Swift response
The case docket was registered and assigned to Sgt Teboho Teketa on the same day as the incident occurred. Within two days, by Sunday 31 March 2024, Sgt Teketa had obtained crucial witness statements that directly linked both suspects to the murder.
The investigation gained further momentum on 10 April 2024, when a photo identification parade was conducted with the assistance of Sgt Michelle Stuurman, Sgt Jeremy de Bruin, and Const. Sergio Bailey. Both suspects were positively identified by witnesses during this procedure.
The investigation showcased excellent teamwork. Sgt Milaan Sarels from the Visible Policing unit (Vispol) assisted in the arrest of the suspects using the photographs provided by the investigating team.
Closure
Sgt Teketa continued with a comprehensive investigation, ensuring both suspects were properly profiled and that bail was opposed. The investigation was completed in October last year, and the case proceeded through the court system.
Last week Thursday (23 October), both Sapud and Molemo were sentenced to 20 years imprisonment each, bringing closure to the case.
Detective Commander Lt Col NT Mpumela of Kuils River Police, who provided the case details, emphasised the dedication shown by the investigating team in ensuring this successful outcome.
“This case demonstrates that thorough investigative work, combined with community cooperation through witness testimony, can lead to successful prosecutions,” said station commander Col Ntombizodidi Mahamba.
