In Wessel Road, Sandton, a 17-year-old was stabbed to death outside the Madison Avenue nightclub. On Saturday night, a terrible accident occurred.
Earlier in the evening, the deceased used a bogus ID to gain access to the establishment, according to the club. According to a close friend, this is the case.
PUPIL MURDERED OUTSIDE MADISON AVENUE
The deceased was identified as Hlompho Mbetse, a grade 11 pupil from King Edward VII School.
According to ER24 spokesperson Ross Campbell, paramedics arrived on the scene with another private medical service at 22:45 to find the teenager lying on the street with a stab wound to his chest.
“He unfortunately showed no signs of life and was declared dead on arrival.
Security as well as the SA Police Service were on the scene for further investigations,” said Campbell.
Madison Avenue acknowledged the incident in a statement shared on their official Facebook page.
The club said a devastating event occurred last night and that they are cooperating with the police.
“Hlompho Mbetse was involved in a fight in the Madison car park, in which our security intervened. The situation was normalised and Hlompho left the area, walking out of the car park & down the road.
“We then believed the situation was contained. Approximately 15 minutes later, reports that an individual arrived (he had not previously been in the venue) who confronted him about 70m from our car park entrance.”
Madison Avenue
The club said what followed was an attack and Mbetse was stabbed.
“Venue owner, security, police and emergency services were on scene to assist. The suspect was detained and is now in police custody.
Even though the crime scene was a fair distance from the venue, multiple emergency vehicles and personnel were on the scene, and as it may seem insensitive, it was decided not to close the venue, as this exit of people would make the difficult situation even worse.
“While there is a suspect in custody, this doesn’t take away from the tragic event of last night. Our thoughts & prayers are with Hlompho’s family and friends whom we have spoken to already, offering our support, condolence and shared heartache.”
Madison Avenue also asked for calm and sensitivity in this time, for the sake of the two families who will never be the same again.