Cape Town – Kraaifontein residents continue living in fear after a deadly knifeman struck twice in less than a week – in spite of arrests.
People in Watsonia Park near Scottsdene say two men have been murdered in the area, and believe one man to be behind the killings.
In the first incident, a man was brutally knifed on Saturday, January 28, and in the second, a man was stabbed more than 40 times on Friday night.
Athion “Pom” Cloete, 24, was murdered last week in Sydow Street, Watsonia Park.
His killer kept on stabbing him as he tried to run away from him, leaving a trail of blood in his wake.
Police have confirmed two arrests in connection with the murder, but the community believes the “real killer” is still on the loose.
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Andrè Traut, confirms a murder case is being investigated.
“Two suspects were arrested and the case is pending in court,” he says.
According to a woman who asked to remain anonymous, for fear of her life, when the family went to the mortuary to claim Athion’s body, his face was still frozen in shock, his mouth wide open.
“We wanted to go and wash his body but he lay there with that look on his face, like he was horrified, as if he wanted to say something,” says the woman.
“Someone was arrested for Pom’s murder, but he is free again, walking around as if nothing has happened."
“What makes me sick is that Pom was stabbed from Sydow Street to the field next to the church, where he collapsed and died.”
On Friday, a man, 20, was killed in Buiten Crescent. He was stabbed 40 times.
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, says circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation.
“No one has been arrested yet.”
And residents believe it’s the same man who killed Athion, as he was known to both deceased.
A relative says: “Our community is living in fear. He struck again on Friday at a park near a primary school."
“The blood is still lying there where that guy was killed."
“Athion just started a new job and would have raised his two children well, giving them a better life. Now his five-year old daughter and six-year old son will have to grow up without a father.”
The family says Athion was not a gangster. He was buried on Saturday.