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Mall murder perhaps a 'hit'
23/08/2005 22:59 - (SA)
Pieter du Toit , Beeld
Pretoria - Police are investigating the possibility that two security guards at the Menlyn shopping centre might have been involved in the murder of Juan Olivier, 22.
His dad, Frans, says that's after studying security video footage from the Galaxy World games arcade, where his son was stabbed to death.
A teenager who was arrested in connection with the murder, is out on bail.
"I have seen the videos and believe there is enough evidence that two men wearing the same type of clothes as the security guards were involved with my son's death. "They didn't do anything to restrain the attacker, even though they saw him stab Juan," Olivier said.
Besides the alleged involvement of the security staff, the video material also showed that an acquaintance of Juan's might have been involved in the attack. Planned
"It is clear from video material obtained from Galaxy World and the centre that the attack on my son was planned. "I firmly believe gangs were responsible for the murder, he said.
"They watched him all night long and I suspect they planned to attack him in one of the centre's rest rooms. However, Juan wasn't in there long enough.
"The video material showed a crowd gathering around him shortly before he was stabbed - they knew something was going to happen."
Olivier studied the video material to make sure that his son was not involved in an argument or a fight earlier that night, as was recently rumoured.
"He was very friendly and joked with people and it was clear that he was in a good mood." 'Direct hit'
Aslam Omar, the centre manager, said his staff would fully co-operation with the relevant authorities doing the investigation. "This is the first word I hear about the possible involvement of the security staff."
Mike Bolhuis, a private security consultant, confirmed that he was investigating possible gang involvement, as well as the involvement of an acquaintance of Juan's and the security staff in the attack.
"It is possible that he was taken out in a direct hit, since the stabbing was done very professionally," Bolhuis said.
The investigating officer on Monday testified during the suspect's bail application that police were investigating the involvement of a gang.
Bolhuis is at present also responsible for security at Olivier's house after they'd received two threatening calls during the past week.
"The accent of the person who phoned was clearly recognisable. "He said I must stop the investigation, or they would sort me out," Olivier said.
- Beeld
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