Two suspects were due to appear in court yesterday (28 August) for theft and the subsequent murder of a “beloved” Claremont waiter on Thursday 24 August.
The incident that led to their arrest on Thursday morning at Cavendish Square Shopping Centre was when one of them was seen wearing a familiar-looking jacket recognised as having belonged to 37-year-old Zimbabwean national Raynold Matusa, whose body was later discovered in Frederick Road.
The Vispol Commander of Claremont police Lt Col Marius Fourie said the arrest was due to a team effort by local security forces.
“At about 02:25 the Excellerate Security officers at Cavendish Square Shopping Centre noted a well-known local Zimbabwean national walking up Vineyard Road from the Blue Whistle Sports Bar to Frederick Road.
“The officers also noted two unknown men following him on Vineyard Road,” Fourie started off.
He said within 10 minutes the security noticed the same men coming back down towards Cavendish Square.
“The security immediately became suspicious when the two men were carrying a jacket that looked exactly like the one the Zimbabwean national was wearing earlier.”
The Claremont Improvement District Corporation (CIDC) security was called to assist.
They found the two suspects on the corner of Dreyer and Warwick roads. Their suspicion grew as the suspects could not explain where they had acquired the jacket.
A Claremont police patrol van was also called out to investigate.
Fourie explained this led to the men being searched, at which time a watch with a broken strap, a silver chain and cellphone were also found in the possession of the suspects.
“The CIDC also tried to find the Zimbabwean national to learn how his jacket had come into the possession of the two men, but he could not be found…
“The suspects were arrested and detained at Claremont Police Station for being in possession of suspected stolen property.”
Following daybreak, Fourie added, the security from Vineyard Hotel in Frederick Road saw a man lying in front of a block of flats in Frederick Road. The CIDC was again called to the scene.
“On their arrival the CIDC also saw the male was unresponsive and there was blood on his clothing and hands.
“An ambulance was summoned and on their arrival paramedics confirmed the man was dead.”
The dead man was identified by CIDC as Matusa who earlier had been seen walking, with the two suspects walking behind him.
A murder investigation is underway, which now links the same two suspects who were arrested earlier for possession of suspected stolen property.
People’s Post understands that the suspects face a charge of murder in addition to that of suspected stolen property.
According to police, investigation is ongoing.
