Boyfriend held for 'hijacking'
2006-02-24 08:49
East London - Total shock. That was the reaction of family members of a man who has been arrested for conspiring to kill his girlfriend and their unborn baby.
David Best, 27, was arrested yesterday, shortly after being discharged from St Dominic's Hospital after it emerged that he had played a key role in his own "kidnapping" on Valentine's Day.
Best was shot during the apparent hijacking. His pregnant girlfriend, Melissa Shelver, 23, was shot twice in the stomach.
Their baby daughter, who would have been born within a few days, was declared dead at the hospital.
Best's brother, Alvin, said the family was shattered by the news of his arrest and are still trying to figure out what happened. Shelver's mother said the family are having a difficult time and could not yet comment on the shocking news.
Two men, including the 24-year-old man who allegedly shot Shelver and Best, as well as a man described by police as a "go-between", were also arrested on Thursday morning.
The charges all three face include defeating the ends of justice, robbery, conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, fraud and possession of an illegal firearm.
Murder charge could be added
A murder charge might be added because of Shelver's advanced state of pregnancy.
The State at the last moment appointed an advocate to handle the prosecution, which is expected to commence in the East London magistrate's court with a bail application today.
Commissioner Dawie Rabie, the provincial chief of detective services, said there is sufficient evidence against Best, but did not want to divulge information about the possible motive.
Rabie did not want to comment when asked whether police set a trap for Best outside the hospital with the help of the other suspects.
"An undertaking was given that money would be paid as soon as Best had been discharged from hospital. Initially it didn't gel with the alleged hijacking. The committed team of detectives on the case delved deeper. They slept less than three hours a night since the crime was committed," said Rabie.
Provincial police commissioner Ross Mpongoma, said information provided by the community led to the breakthrough that culminated in the arrest of the suspects.
"We would like to thank the community for the big role they played in solving the case. Our detectives also did a wonderful job," said Mpongoma.
He described the supposed hijacking on Valentine's Day as "well planned".
Shelver and Best were hijacked by one of the suspects at about 09:00 as they were getting into their car in a parking lot after a visit to a gynaecologist.
According to Best's statement, they were forced to drive to Fort Jackson.
About 10km from town Best was allegedly forced to get out of the car. He was shot in the shoulder and Shelver in the stomach.
The suspect allegedly then fled with Best's wallet, cellphone and watch.
The wounded Best took Shelver to Netcare 911 in East London, where he collapsed. Shelver's dead baby was delivered by Caesarean section.
The gun that was used during the shooting was found in the possession of one of the suspects. It was stolen in Bisho in May 2002.