Police are still investigating the death of high school learner from Bela-Bela
The Bela-Bela police made available more details surrounding the death of Prayer Chandakafambira (17), a learner from Acade-mia Private School in Bela-Bela, whose body ended up a few kilometres from the Bela Mall on the R101 that led to Pienaars-rivier on Thursday 10 May.
According to WO Dana Smith, investi-gating officer, a case of culpable homicide is still being investigated since it is believed that a vehicle had hit Prayer, but the driver refrained to stop and simply drove away. Prayer was found dead at the scene. Details surrounding the vehicle that hit him is also outstanding, according to Smith.
Smith said that according to the investigation, prior to his death Prayer was a victim of a group of suspects running a scam in town.
The group allegedly approached Prayer close to the Shell Garage and claimed that they are workers of the Markham clothing store and were offering clothing items at discount prices. They convinced Prayer to hand his backpack and cell phone over as collateral to the scammers and went to Markham for the clothing items. He then found that he was scammed, said Smith.
Prayer then walked in the direction of the Bela Mall and walked into McDonald’s. Smith said Prayer had entered the establishment and asked the manager of McDonald’s to record a message, addressed to Prayer’s father, where he explained the circumstances surrounding the scam.
Prayer then left the establishment.
On the McDonald’s security footage Prayer was seen leaving the area through the nearby open field, ended up on the R101 and disappeared from view, said Smith.
