Beerhouse killer suspect still on run

POLICE have still not caught, located or identified the man believed to have stabbed and killed a doorman at the Beerhouse pub in Long Street.

This was disclosed during the bail application of three men charged with plotting the bouncer’s death.

Testifying in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court yesterday, investigating officer Jeremy Steyn said the “mystery man” – identified only as Ashley and who had allegedly delivered the fatal blow – had so far eluded authorities.

“Nobody knows who he is,” he said.

Ubain van der Bergh, 20, Toufieq Essa, 21 and Nasbie Edwards, 27, are facing charges for conspiring to kill the doorman. The State alleges they aided in the targeted attack.

The trio are said to have met at the Food Inn on Long Street on June 20 before moving across to the Beerhouse pub. Video footage allegedly shows Van der Bergh and Essa, along with “Ashley”, confronting doorman Joe Kanyona that night.

There is a split-second of commotion, wherein Kanyona is stabbed, and his attackers flee.

Steyn said the blow had severed an artery in the doorman’s neck, leaving him to bleed to death.

But the men allegedly involved in the doorman’s death said the intention had never been to kill Kanyona. In a statement to Rondebosch police, Essa said the plan was simply to draw blood.

Shortly after his arrest, Steyn said Van der Bergh had wanted to confess.

“But he backed out right as we started.”

Referring to the CCTV footage at the Beerhouse’s doors, Steyn said Essa and Van der Bergh had formed a wall to block the attack from cameras.

He said “Ashley” could be seen as a quick-moving shadow, striking from behind the guarding wall of his co-conspirators.”

There are fears that the trio may threaten the State’s witness, who is known to the group.

Magistrate Grant Engel postponed the bail application to August 27.