R5K BAIL FOR GUARD ‘KILLER’

The man arrested and charged with the murder of a Bloubergstrand car guard has been granted R5 000 bail.

Neo Malignant, 30, of Cape Town central, made an appearance at the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Wednesday for his bail application to proceed.

Malignant was arrested on 31 August, alongside a woman aged 24, for the murder of the car guard, who was stabbed to death during the early hours of the same day in Marine Circle, Bloubergstrand.

On Tuesday, prior to court proceedings, the charge of murder was withdrawn against the woman and she was freed.

The State contended that they were opposing Malignant’s release on bail.

He was, however, granted R5 000 with conditions attached.

The matter was postponed to 26 November for further investigation.

The police traced the couple to a residence in Cape Town

Detectives utilised CCTV footage obtained which showed the couple and the vehicle they were travelling in, allegedly fleeing the scene.

The body of the car guard was found between vehicles in Marine Circle.

The murder was caught on CCTV footage.

In the widely-shared 92-second video, Malignant and the car guard can be seen talking and walking around the car.

Malignant walks behind the man. And as the car guard turns back toward the car, Malignant takes out a weapon and stabs the man under the left arm. 

The victim then stumbles back and leans with his back on the car behind him, before slouching to the ground and out of camera shot.

Malignant then jumps back into his vehicle with the woman. As they pull out of the parking spot, a group of passerby see the victim and go to help.

Social media went abuzz from shocked residents stating that an innocent man who was a bread winner had been killed in an act of violence and called for the harshest form of justice.

Earlier, Table View police station spokesperson, Captain Adriana Chandler confirmed that the car guard was unidentified and that he had been stabbed under his arm.

She explained that proactive police detectives visited a property near the crime scene where they obtained video footage and that they managed to trace the suspects to a dwelling in Cape Town.

Meanwhile, the Beach Boulevard Business Forum (BBBF) said via their social media page that they have committed to beef up security.

They said in a statement: “Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of residents, visitors, and staff along the Boulevard. To protect the integrity of the investigation, no further details will be shared at this stage. We respectfully ask the community to avoid speculation and refrain from sharing unverified content on social media.

“To enhance public safety, especially ahead of the high-peak festive season, the BBBF is implementing additional security measures, including expanding CCTV coverage across key points on the Boulevard and strengthening coordination with SAPS and private security partners.