Sithole’s killers must be ‘removed from society’

Police are offering a R100 000 reward for information which could lead to the arrest of the killers of Mozambican Emmanuel Sithole.

The Sunday Times captured pictures of an Alexandra man stabbing a helpless Sithole who later died from the stab wounds.

A day after Sithole was fatally stabbed‚ Gauteng Premier David Makhura denounced xenophobic attacks saying they were not a reflection of South Africans but of inhumane criminals.

“There have been arrests made and the next step will be to prosecute these criminals and ensure that they are removed from society‚” Makhura told a church gathering of foreigners and the Mayfair community on Sunday.

Police spokesman Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said police were following leads and had sent investigators to Alex who have interviewed witnesses who were present when Sithole was stabbed.

“A manhunt for a group of four suspects has been launched. While police are also investigating the motive for the killing‚ witnesses allege that the victim was a street vendor and selling cigarettes.

“Suspects approached him and took his goods without paying and thereafter an argument ensued. He was then confronted by one of the suspects who was wielding a knife.

“In the process he was stabbed and taken to the local clinic. He later died at the hospital in Johannesburg. At this stage it is not clear whether the attack may be linked to the threats against foreign nationals or it was a criminal act to rob the victim‚” said Dlamini.

Public order policing divisional commissioner Elias Mawela said a team of detectives would use the pictures of the brazen murder of Sithole to track down his killers.

Pretty Shongwa‚ a Zimbabwean‚ witnessed the attack.

“I saw him [Sithole] being stabbed and kicked by South Africans. No one did anything to help him because they also feared their lives.

"It was painful to see. I knew I had to leave the township before I was targeted‚” said Shongwe‚ who joined a group of foreign nationals from Alex seeking refuge at a camp in Mayfair at the weekend.

Residents on Second Avenue where the stabbing occurred denied knowing Sithole or his attackers.

“It does not mean that because someone was stabbed here then we are xenophobic or we know the person who was killed or his killer‚” said Moses Tshabalala.

A member of the Rhema Church‚ Naomi Molefe‚ said attacks on foreigners were motivated by jealousy.

“We all know that most of people from foreign countries are willing to work hard and those who attack them rob them‚” she said.

Omphemetse Matabane said South Africans would pay a high price for the inhuman treatment of foreigners.

“They have children who will grow up with this pain and it is scary what will happen‚” she said.