Members of the Homevale Neighbourhood Watch and community gathered in large numbers to show support for those initially arrested on murder charges. Picture: Sandi Kwon Hoo
MEMBERS of the Homevale Neighbourhood Watch and three community members expressed relief after charges of murder were reduced to assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH) in connection with the death of a 27-year-old man who was allegedly caught stealing a cellphone.
The Roodepan police initially opened a murder case following an incident that occurred in Homevale, Kimberley, on December 28, 2024.
SAPS Northern Cape spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam stated that preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased had allegedly been captured on CCTV footage stealing a cellphone from a motor vehicle parked at a residence in Homevale.
“He was tracked down through the assistance of the neighbourhood watch,” said Sam.
He added that five suspects, aged between 30 and 62, were arrested for murder after the man collapsed and died later at his home in Homestead.
“The police investigations are continuing,” said Sam.
The five accused, Alroy Oliphant, Frank Oliphant, George Frederick Tree, Quinton John Tree and Dimtre Le Fleur, applied for bail in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on January 10.
The legal representative for the accused, Gary Botha, stated that none of his clients had prior convictions, pending cases, or histories of violence or protection orders against them.
Le Fleur appointed Kenneth Juries as his new legal representative this week.
State prosecutor Birch confirmed that the accused had no pending cases or previous convictions.
She added that the State would not oppose bail after the charges were changed from murder to assault GBH.
Magistrate Maimane Booi stated that the deceased was allegedly assaulted by five men.
The matter was allocated for trial and all the accused were released on bail of R2,000 each.
The administrator of the Homevale Neighbourhood Watch, Collin Baartman, welcomed the release of their members from custody and was hopeful that the charges would ultimately be withdrawn.