Candy store owner ‘on the run’ after fatal attack

The owner of a candy store remains at large after allegedly fatally striking a 29-year-old customer in the head with a hockey stick on Stanley Batyashe Street in Galeshewe.

The owner of a TUCK store has yet to be arrested after he allegedly fatally struck a 29-year-old customer on the head with a hockey stick on Stanley Batyashe Street in Galeshewe.

Community members feared that the suspect was a flight risk because he had “disappeared” following the alleged incident on August 9.

“The longer it takes to arrest him, the more time he will have to leave the city. We do not know if he is in the country legally,” they said.

It is believed that the deceased, Kevin du Pont, was attacked after the shop owner accused him of using a counterfeit banknote to buy cigarettes, soft drinks and sweets.

Operation Fiela chairman Thabiso Louw said Du Pont suffered serious head injuries and was receiving medical treatment in intensive care.

“His condition worsened after he was transferred to a regular ward and he died on August 29. He leaves behind his partner and six-year-old daughter,” Louw said.

“The suspect operated three kiosks in Stock and Stock and Vergenoeg. It was decided to close all kiosks in the area from August 29 to force the suspect to surrender to the police. We had to prevent the municipality from taking the law into its own hands.”

He added that other local candy store owners do not know the suspect's whereabouts.

“Nobody has a photo of him and he is only known by his nickname. We spoke to a relative who said he could not locate the suspect or give us his contact number.”

Louw facilitated a meeting this week where candy store owners and community members met with police.

“The investigation is ongoing. The police are calling for calm and urging community members not to harm the suspect.”

Louw added that a memorial service for Du Pont was held at Percival Jas Hall on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, some community members expressed anger over the closure of the candy stores.

“What about the elderly and sick people who now have to take a taxi to buy basic food so they can take their medicines?” they asked.

Meanwhile, grieving family members want answers about Du Pont's death.

Magdelena Williams stated that the family was destitute after the death of her son.

“We travelled from Cape Town to Kimberley without a penny and had no place to stay. My son supported us financially as neither of us has an income. We want answers because my son is no longer alive and cannot explain what really happened. No one deserves such a cruel death.”

She added that although her eldest child grew up in the gang-ridden Lavender Hill neighbourhood, he never experienced violence during his entire stay in Cape Town.

“He came to Kimberley looking for work. Who would have thought that he would die prematurely in such a quiet place?”

Community activist Herbert Miller said the candy store owners had contributed to the funeral as well as to the undertaker's costs for bringing Du Pont's body to Cape Town.

“This allowed the family to return home on Wednesday. The candy stores reopened on September 3,” Miller said.

Police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock said Frances Baard District Commissioner Major General Charlotte Makgari had met with all relevant stakeholders and the community had called a meeting for September 2.

“There was discussion about how the community can help the police arrest the suspect in the alleged murder case,” Kock explained.