A 17-year-old boy appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday accused of stabbing a 22-year-old man to death at the Menlyn Park shopping centre, east of the city, on Friday night.
Police spokesperson Inspector Lucas Sithole said the 17-year-old was charged with the murder of 22-year-old Juan Lee Olivier and the case was postponed to August 22 for a bail application.
The two had been at the Galaxy World games arcade in the mall on Friday night when they started arguing, Sithole said.
The 17-year-old allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Olivier repeatedly in the chest.
He was rushed to the Pretoria East hospital but was certified dead on arrival.
The 17-year-old was detained by the centre’s security guards and handed over to police.
The accused, who lives in Eersterust, was dressed in a dirty white sweater when he appeared in court on Monday. He indicated that he will apply for legal aid.
The legal aid lawyer will be appointed before the bail application.
”Management and staff are deeply saddened by the tragedy and extend their sympathies to Juan Lee’s family and friends,” the shopping centre’s management said in a statement.
The management said the centre is patrolled by 162 trained security personnel and has 102 surveillance cameras, while tenants each have their own surveillance and security systems.
”Menlyn Park has an annual security budget of over R7-million to ensure our customers are able to shop in a safe and relaxed environment.”
The management said in light of the tragedy, its security programmes will be reviewed with the help of the police and security specialists. — Sapa