Three individuals are set to appear in Stellenbosch Magistrate’s Court today in connection with the murder of student Jesse Mitchell. Their co-accused, Rudolf Hufke, 19, was in court last Friday.
The group faces charges related to the alleged murder of first-year student Mitchell, who was fatally attacked in the early hours of Wednesday, October 16.
According to police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie, Mitchell was reportedly robbed and stabbed. “Initial reports indicate that he was cycling down Borcherd Street around 3 AM when he was confronted, stabbed in the neck, and robbed of his belongings. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries,” Pojie explained.
Following a thorough investigation by Stellenbosch detectives and Crime Intelligence, a 19-year-old suspect was arrested within hours of the crime. On October 18, three additional suspects—a 29-year-old male, a 28-year-old male, and a 31-year-old female—were apprehended in Cloetesville, Stellenbosch. They are expected to be charged and appear in court soon.
Mitchell, originally from Centurion in Gauteng, was reportedly attacked on his 19th birthday.
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Andre Pelser from Stellenbosch CPF noted that the area is a hub for students and tourists, making them vulnerable targets for crime. “With around 35,000 students frequenting late-night venues, there’s a noticeable presence on the streets until the early hours, which complicates policing efforts. We have initiated a crime-mapping project to identify hotspots for targeted interventions.”
Pelser highlighted that while serious crimes often occur in Kayamandi and Cloetesville, there is a concerning trend of criminal elements targeting students and tourists in central Stellenbosch, including organized crime involved in vehicle theft and ATM scams.
“To address this growing issue, community involvement is essential. The key to improving the situation lies in vigilance, effective communication, collaboration in crime prevention, and ensuring that criminals are prosecuted and incarcerated,” Pelser added.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Crime Stop anonymously at 0860 010 111 or send an SMS to Crime Line at 32211.