Africa-Press – South-Africa. Family members of slain Stellenbosch Football Club captain Oshwin Andries are at their wit’s end, saying police have failed to arrest the man they believe is responsible for his death.
Andries, affectionally known as “Ossie”, was stabbed several times on Saturday, 29 January at a tavern in the Mandela City informal settlement in Klapmuts, allegedly after an altercation.
He was wounded in the head and lower back and died in his mother’s arms a week later on 4 February, after complaining of “severe pain”.
His mother, Natasha, told News24 she had not been kept in the loop about the investigation into her son’s murder.
She claimed the suspect, who is known to the family, had handed himself over to the police, but was not arrested.
“Community members wanted to attack him after they learnt he was the one who [allegedly] stabbed my boy.
“We then heard that the suspect handed himself over to the police, but they didn’t arrest him at the time because there was no evidence to suggest he stabbed Oshwin,” Natasha said.
Western Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie, could not confirm whether someone had handed themselves over to the police.
He did, however, confirm they had not yet made any arrests in connection with the murder.
“The investigating officer is in constant discussion with the senior public prosecutor regarding the progress made and the way forward in terms of the investigation. The investigation is ongoing,” Pojie said.
“We do submit dockets to the senior public prosecutor from time to time to peruse and to guide us to prepare a solid case to ensure successful prosecution, or to decide on whether someone can be held liable or should be charged, arrested or not.”
However, Natasha claimed the detective dealing with the case told the family they (the police) were waiting on a court order before effecting an arrest.
She said:
“This man is walking the streets of Klapmuts every day. Every day, we, as a family, need to constantly be reminded that the person who [allegedly] took my son’s life is still a free man.
“It is very disappointing that the police have not made any arrests more than three months after the incident.”
She said there was some sort of altercation that night, but no bad blood between her son and the suspect because they only knew each other in passing.
someone from across the world? Sign up for our global dialogue programme
and get matched for a conversation
“I know all his friends, but this man I never met, and for him to think stabbing my son so violently is okay, well, it’s not,” a grief-stricken Natasha added.
She said she still had hopes there would be a positive development in the case.
“The Lord knows my heart, I still believe that justice will be served, and I will see the man who ripped our family apart behind bars. Because that is where he should be, not out here roaming the damn streets pretending like he didn’t cause my son’s death,” Natasha added.
For More News And Analysis About South-Africa Follow Africa-Press
