Three to appear for Pta murder
2008-03-26 11:57
Johannesburg - Three men who were arrested in connection with the killings of two foreign nationals in Brazaville informal settlement in Atteridgeville will appear in court on Thursday, Pretoria police said on Wednesday.
Constable Patricia Simelane said the investigating officer was busy preparing a docket and the three would appear on murder and damage to property charges in Atteridgeville Magistrate's Court.
"We have charged them with one murder so far - because we have no eye witnesses linking them to the second killing. We opened an inquest - for now - which is being investigated," she said.
Two people were killed when a mob allegedly burnt their shacks down on Monday night, in two separate incidents.
"It is alleged that a large crowd went to a shack belonging to a Zimbabwean national at about midnight."
"They allegedly beat him and burnt his shack whilst he was unconscious inside," Simelane said.
She said the victim was found dead and his brother managed to escape the crowd.
A few metres away another person was found burnt beyond recognition in a shack. Simelane said the shack occupied a stand where a tuck shop belonging to a Zimbabwean was located.
On Friday, the Department of Home Affairs said the attacks on foreign nationals were inappropriate.
It said consultations with relevant stakeholders to find a solution to the attacks were ongoing.
- SAPA