KNYSNA NEWS - Three suspects charged with the murder last weekend of Hornlee resident Byron Alie, who was well-known in local sports circles, briefly appeared in the Knysna Magistrate's Court on Monday 2 March.
The men, aged between 24 and 29, were taken into custody after Alie (30) was stabbed to death on Saturday morning 29 February during what police described as an "altercation" between himself, another victim and the suspects at about 07:00 in Swarthout Street, Hornlee.
Both victims were transported to hospital, but Alie later succumbed to his injuries.
The second victim, who underwent surgery at George Provincial Hospital and was placed in ICU, was coherent and responsive on Saturday following surgery according to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies.
While the circumstances surrounding Alie's death have not yet been determined by the police, there are a number of versions of events floating around among members of the community that could not be confirmed by Spies as he said the investigation is ongoing.
Alie was a member of the Crossroads soccer team which plays in Knysna Local Football Association's Domestic League. After news of the incident had reached his team-mates and the KLFA, all of Crossroads' matches in last weekend's round of games were cancelled. And after a club rugby match between Greater Knysna and Sedgefield Eagle Stars on Saturday, Greater Knysna captain Maxwell Kiewitz dedicated his man-of-the-match performance to Alie.
There was also an outpour of reponses on social media when KPH broke the news of his passing, with many sending their condolences and kind wishes to the family.
The case was postponed to Monday 9 March.
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