RUSTENBURG – Marikana police were on Saturday morning, 26 June 2021, summoned to Marikana Town / Shopping Centre where a male was allegedly chasing and stabbing people with knives. According to information received, the man bought two knives from one of the grocery store and immediately thereafter, threatened to stab Security Officers, but was chased away.

The man who was reported to be mentally challenged, then proceeded to another grocery store where he chased Security Officers out of the store and threatened to stab them. One of the Security Officers was apparently firing shots while running away, but that did not deter the man from chasing them. The man ultimately stabbed one of the Security Officers (46) on the chest and he succumbed to his injuries on the scene. It is alleged that the other Security Officer fired several shots leading to the death of the man.

According to the reports, during the incident, a Sergeant stationed at Marikana was also in the area when the suspect chased people and threatened to stab them. Thus, the Sergeant who was armed with his Service pistol, also fired several shots. In the process, a man and his son were struck by stray bullet/s. The man (58) died on the scene while his son (39) sustained injuries on the leg.  The son was taken to Job Shimankane Tabane (JST) Hospital for medical treatment. Three cases of murder and one of attempted murder have been opened and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has taken over the investigation.

Source: South African Police Service