Alcohol is the grim reaper in Bredasdorp

06 April 2016 - 02:43 By Nashira Davids

Anene Booysen, Kayde Williams and Sulnita Manho lived in poverty and were murdered in Bredasdorp. But that is not all they had in common.They were killed on the second day of the month, 24 hours after government grants are paid. And alcohol played a role in each crime.Manho's mutilated body was found at the weekend near Booysen's family home.Elda Jafta and Xolelwa Vuma were also killed in Bredasdorp in the past three years.Police station commander Lieutenant-Colonel Maree Louw said the town was plagued with social ills."Many community members squander their government grants on alcohol."People wait at ATMs from about 7pm until midnight when they get paid on the first day of the month. Then most go to the shebeens to drink," she said.Booysen - killed on February 2, 2013 - partied at a pub with her murderer.The man who allegedly raped and murdered Williams on February 2 last year had also been on a drinking spree. He committed suicide after her body was found.And Manho had been drinking at a shebeen too.Booysen's murder made international headlines. Her injuries, including disembowelment, were so ghastly that hospital workers needed trauma counselling.Manho's skull had been cracked open, clumps of her hair had been ripped out, both wrists were cut and a T-shirt was wrapped around her neck and tied to a gate. Louw said a suspect was arrested an hour after her body was found.He will appear in court again on Monday.Western Cape community safety MEC Dan Plato called on the community to help the police in their investigation."It is a tragedy when horrific incidents of abuse and murder still occur in our communities despite various and continued involvement by different government departments and non-governmental organisations to help ensure that violence is eradicated from communities and that safety is a priority," said Plato...

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