Kirkwood father held after murder of son, 15

A Kirkwood father was arrested yesterday for allegedly stabbing his 15-year-old son to death outside a tavern in Enon, Kirkwood.

The boy, Ronaldo Crouse, was one of three people killed in separate alleged drunken brawls in Nelson Mandela Bay and surrounding areas over the weekend involving alcohol and knives.

The killings come only days after the national crime figures were released, showing a 4.9% increase in the national murder rate.

Crouse was stabbed after an argument and scuffle with his 48-year-old father over money.

Police spokeswoman Captain Gerda Swart said it was alleged the son took money and went to a tavern to drink.

“The father went to the tavern and pulled his son outside, after which a quarrel ensued,” Swart said.

“The son allegedly used a bottle to attack his father. During the scuffle, the father stabbed the son in the chest with a knife.”

Crouse died on the scene in Church Street.

Swart said the father was arrested at the scene and faced murder charges.

Meanwhile, Nosipho Teyisi, 46, was killed inside her home in Nzotoyi Drive in Kuyga, Port Elizabeth, on Saturday morning.

Police spokeswoman Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said Teyisi was stabbed in the chest while apparently protecting her 14-year-old son against her boyfriend, who had arrived home drunk.

“The man arrived home, which led to an argument between the 14-year-old boy and her [Teyisi’s] boyfriend."

“A scuffle ensued and the boyfriend grabbed a kitchen knife. It is alleged that the child’s mother tried to intervene, resulting in her being stabbed in the chest,” Janse van Rensburg said.

The boyfriend was arrested on the scene. In a third incident, 30-year-old Alton Uithaler, 30, was killed inside his Shaheed Crescent, Bethelsdorp, home in the early hours of Saturday.

“It is alleged that a friend of Uithaler’s brother arrived at the house, causing a commotion,” Janse van Rensburg said.

“At the time, his [Uithaler’s] brother was not at home. “An argument led to a scuffle and Uithaler was stabbed. “The suspect then fled the scene and has not yet been arrested.”

Janse van Rensburg confirmed that alcohol was linked to the murders. The two men who were arrested for murder over the weekend are due to appear in court tomorrow, while a manhunt is on for the third suspect.

Acting Police Commissioner Lieutenant- General Khomotso Phahlane said in a statement on Friday that alcohol was a “major contributor” to the spike in murders and contact crimes such as sexual offences, attempted murder, assault and robbery.

He was speaking during the release of the crime statistics at a parliamentary briefing.