South African police arrest three for Sanders murder

AFP
Corrie Sanders of South Africa is pictured during a 2004 fight

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) –

Corrie Sanders of South Africa is pictured during a 2004 fight. South African police arrested three Zimbabwean men Thursday over the murder of former heavyweight boxing champion Sanders who was gunned down during a birthday celebration last week.

South African police arrested three Zimbabwean men Thursday over the murder of former heavyweight boxing champion Corrie Sanders who was gunned down during a birthday celebration last week.

The 19-year-old and two 20-year-olds were arrested in an informal settlement near Brits in the North West province for bursting into a restaurant and randomly opening fire on Saturday.

“All three suspects are Zimbabwean citizens, they will appear before the Brits magistrates court on Monday the 1st of October for charges of murder and armed robbery,” the police said in a statement.

During the arrests, police found goods that had been stolen from victims during the armed robbery, including a cellphone, handbag and and car key.

Sanders was shot in the hand and the abdomen while celebrating his nephew’s 21st birthday and died in hospital on Sunday, local media reported.

He was World Boxing Organisation’s heavyweight title champion in 2003 after defeating Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko in a second round knock-out in Hanover, Germany.

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