The Gauteng police have opened a case of murder following the death of former champion, Mark Strydom, who reportedly died in a shooting on Saturday night.
According to Yusuf Abramjee, the notorious pugilist was shot dead after he allegedly pulled a gun on a woman on Saturday night.
According to a source who did not want to be named, Strydom was shot allegedly by David Knox after he fired first.
“It has been confirmed that Strydom was shot dead by David Knox who shot him dead after he fired his weapon first,” he said.
Another source, who did not want to be named, said Strydom entered into a dispute with Knox who allegedly shot him.
“He started with David Knox and fired a shot at Knox who shot him first after seeing the firearm. This man has been terrorising people for a long time,” the source said.
"I do not know much about his death but all I know is that this man terrorised Durban and the bars in Umhlanga when they come here they did the same," another source said.
In 2000, Strydom was described as one Johannesburg’s most notorious thugs.
In the same year, he declared that he had found God and given up his violent ways.
At the time, Independent Media reported that he had been out on bail on five previous occasions, with some of his previous charges including fraud, assault, intimidation and pointing a firearm.
In 2013, Strydom and Mikey Schultz, who was the self-confessed murderer of Brett Kebble, appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on charges of assault after a war of words with then Mrs Universe SA Juanita Mitchell, the wife of Brian Mitchell, a former world featherweight boxing champion.
At the time, The Star reported that Mrs Mitchell laid charges of assault against Strydom and Schultz and obtained an interdict against them to keep them from coming near her.
In 2000, Independent Media reported that Strydom’s name is often whispered in hushed tones in the south of Johannesburg with restaurant owners said to be afraid to talk.
“When Strydom goes into a place, everybody just gets up and leaves, even if they have just ordered,” said one witness.
It is reported that there are stories of Strydom walking into restaurants, eating a meal and then walking out without paying.
Speaking to The Star, police spokesperson, Colonel Noxolo Kweza said the police have opened a murder docket following the shooting.
“I can confirm that police in Edenvale are investigating a murder docket after a 54-year-old man was shot and killed at a sports bar yesterday.
“A suspect has since been arrested and will appear at Germiston Magistrate’s Court tomorrow (Monday),” Kweza said.
The Star