Midrand – Four South African men, aged between 20 and 28, are to appear in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Friday, charged with the murder of 37-year-old Chukwunta Friday Julius, a Nigerian national.
Julius was brutally assaulted at the Protea Estate residential complex in Midrand over the weekend and succumbed to his injuries at Tembisa Hospital on Tuesday morning.
According to Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo, the police spokesperson, Midrand police swiftly launched an investigation following the assault, tirelessly pursuing all leads. By Wednesday morning, the first two suspects were apprehended, and by Thursday, four suspects were in custody.
“A total of four suspects are now in police custody and are expected to make their first appearance before the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on a charge of murder on Friday,” Masondo confirmed.
The Nigeria Union South Africa (NUSA) has released a statement detailing the events leading to Julius’s death. NUSA president-general Prince Smart Nwobi explained that the incident stemmed from a parking dispute.
"The altercation escalated physically when the assailants struck the victim with bricks on his head, ultimately resulting in his death," Nwobi stated. He added that Julius’s girlfriend provided a detailed account of the events.
According to the girlfriend’s testimony, on Saturday evening, she and Julius returned to their Protea Estate apartment and found their path blocked by a vehicle. Julius honked, but the driver didn’t respond.
Julius then approached the vehicle, politely requesting the driver to move their car. However, the driver refused. When Julius reported the matter to the estate’s security, he was ambushed from behind by the driver and several accomplices, who then viciously attacked him with bricks.
This tragic incident comes as South Africa grapples with ongoing issues of violence and crime. The case highlights the urgent need for addressing these issues and ensuring the safety and security of all residents, regardless of their nationality.
The swift action by the Midrand police in apprehending the suspects is commendable and demonstrates their commitment to bringing those responsible to justice. The upcoming court appearance will be closely watched as the legal process unfolds.
The sentencing of four men – two Botswana nationals and two South Africans – in the Northern Cape last month serves as a stark reminder of the severity of violent crime in the country. In that case, Ditiro Brooks (28), Rapaleng Brooks (27), Kgagamatso Mokoding (42), and Ohentse Bless (30) were sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment for murder, 18 years for robbery, and five years for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. These sentences will run concurrently.
According to Northern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, the men carried out a well-planned robbery on February 1, 2021, fatally shooting Egyptian businessman Khalil Lofty Ghazy outside the Kekkel en Kraai shop in Springbok after robbing him of R122,500.
They fled in a rented car and sought refuge in a tavern owned by one of the accused, who is now deceased. The stolen money was recovered, and the firearms were found in the car’s boot. One of the men, Bless, was apprehended at a roadblock in Kathu. All four were denied bail and remained in custody until sentencing.
