Bloemfontein pub owner, 45, shot dead… three suspects arrested

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Cape Town – Police arrested three suspects following the death of a Bloemfontein pub owner who was allegedly killed in a hail of bullets in the early hours of Monday.

The suspects aged 33, 30 and 26 were expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court on Tuesday.

Tumelo Phiri, owner of By Hoek Lounge, was shot and killed while closing his establishment, police said.

It was alleged that a fight broke out at the lounge earlier and the 45-year-old businessman intervened, only to be threatened by the suspect that he was coming back for him, police said in a statement.

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“It is alleged Phiri was busy closing the outlet when the suspect approached him and shot him several times. One bystander was hit by a bullet.

“Police at Mangaung were called to the scene and a hunt for the suspect ensued. The 30-year-old male was traced and arrested in Mafora, Mangaung. Two other suspects aged 26 and 33 were arrested as accomplices to the murder,” said police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel, Thabo Covane.

Cases of murder and attempted murder were opened at Mangaung police station.

All three suspects were said to be foreign nationals and had been charged with defeating the ends of justice and violation of the Immigration Act, said Covane.

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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe 

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