North West MEC for Public Safety Howard Yawa is saddened by the callous murder of 61 years old Soolman Karim who was killed by armed robbers outside his furniture shop in Potchefstroom on Monday morning. MEC Yawa conveys his heartfelt condolences to the Karim family on the loss of their loved one at the hands of criminals three of whom who have since been arrested for the robbery and the murder.
“The prompt response and courageous action of our police have demonstrated our resolve to win the war against crime. The police will hunt down the fourth suspect until he is apprehended,” says MEC Yawa.
Two of the suspects are alleged to have accosted Karim’s employees in his furniture shop and robbed them of an undisclosed amount of cash and airtime vouchers furniture. In the process of the robbery they are said to have hit one of the employees in the face with the butt of a firearm, slightly injuring him.
Karim was shot by two of the suspects in the parking area when he alighted from his vehicle. He was rushed to the local Medi Clinic, where he was certified dead on arrival.
It is alleged that three of the suspects, one of whom is on the run after two of his accomplices were arrested in Ikageng Extension six after a car chase and shootout with the police are from Sebokeng, while one is a resident of Ikageng. Police recovered undisclosed amount of cash and air time vouchers stolen during the robbery, a VW Golf getaway car and two illegal firearms, a .38 revolver and a 9mm pistol.
The suspects are to soon appear in the Potchefstroom Magistrate Court on charges of murder, attempted murder, armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
