Atlantic Point Backpackers is a popular establishment for tourists on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard.

• A man was stabbed to death at a backpackers in Cape Town in the early hours of Friday morning.
• It is believed that an altercation broke out between two men on Thursday night, which then led to the fatal stabbing of one of the men.
• Police have arrested a 27-year-old man for the murder.

Western Cape police have arrested a 27-year-old man for the murder of a 23-year-old man at the popular Atlantic Point Backpackers on Cavalcade Road in Green Point, Cape Town on Friday morning.

National Tourism Crisis Communications spokesperson Natalia Rosa said they were saddened by the tragic incident, which had claimed the life of a “US guest”. 

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Rosa could not confirm to News24 if both men were tourists or if they held US passports and/or residency in the country.

She said that a conflict between the two men had developed on Thursday night at the backpackers, but had been resolved after police intervened.

However, in the early hours of Friday morning, tensions had escalated again. 

“Though it [the conflict] was seemingly resolved without issue, tensions tragically escalated again the following morning on 9 February in the guest kitchen.”

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“Despite attempts by accommodation staff to diffuse the situation calmly, one guest ultimately fatally stabbed the other using a kitchen knife in a devastating end to their dispute,” said Rosa. 

She added that authorities had been contacted immediately, and that the police had apprehended the perpetrator.

“The backpacker accommodation staff are fully cooperating with the police investigation. Trauma counselling has been provided to guests and staff affected by the terrible event,” Rosa said. 

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased during this profoundly difficult time. Further details will be provided by the authorities leading the investigation.”

Meanwhile, Western Cape police said the possible motive behind the deadly attack was an argument. 

“A knife was handed in as an exhibit. The arrested suspect will appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s court on Monday,” spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said. 

Taurus Medical EMS’s Justin Witbooi told News24 that when they arrived at the scene, they found the ambulance crew and bystanders performing CPR.

“Our ALS response unit responded to a call for assistance from a Western Cape government Health Metro ambulance for a CPR progress,” Witbooi added.

“When we arrived on the scene, we found that CPR was already being performed on a male patient who had sustained a stab wound to the chest. 

“Despite all the effort to control the bleeding and extensive advanced life support resuscitation, the patient was declared deceased.”

Green Point ward councillor Ian McMahon said the incident was deeply concerning and had left the community shattered. 

“We call on the police to investigate and report the details of the case. The unsubstantiated chatter that this incident was between two tourists at the backpackers are not yet clear,” he said.