Man arrested for murder of friend

Man arrested for murder of friend LEANDREA LOUW

Swakopmund



Swakopmund's community is in shock after the murder of Thomas Frederick (Frikkie) van Schalkwyk (69) who was allegedly strangled by his 36-year-old friend in his house in Swakopmund last week.

Police deputy commissioner Erastus Iikuyu, the coordinator for crime investigations in the Erongo Region, confirmed that Van Schalkwyk, a businessman, was strangled at his home in Camelthorn Street in the Ocean View neighbourhood of the coastal town at about 21:00 on Thursday.

“The deceased and his friend, who is the suspect in the case, were at Van Schalkwyk's house when an argument arose between them. The suspect allegedly strangled Van Schalkwyk to make him lose consciousness, but he died,” Iikuyu said.

“The suspect then locked the house and drove the deceased's green Jeep to a drug dealer's house in Narraville in Walvis Bay where he allegedly exchanged the vehicle with the drug dealer for drugs.”

According to Iikuyu, the suspect turned himself over to the police around 15:00 on Friday. He remains behind bars.

Van Schalkwyk lived alone and the suspect apparently recently arrived from Otjiwarongo to look for work in Swakopmund where he stayed with Van Schalkwyk.





“The deceased's body was found in the living room and his body was taken to Swakopmund State Hospital. The Jeep was taken to the Narraville police station where it is kept in safe custody,” Iikuyu said.

The deceased's next of kin were informed of his death.

The suspect will appear in the Swakopmund Magistrate's Court today on charges of murder and vehicle theft. His name is withheld until his first court appearance.

leandrea@republikein.com.na