The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation(Hawks) has confirmed an arrest of the fourth suspect linked to the brutally murder of two police officers which were responding to the house robbery in Phuthaditjhaba almost three weeks ago.
The fourth suspect was arrested because is linked to the murder of Constable Sipho Mohapi and Constable Gedione Motloung of Namahapi Visible Policing.
Colonel Katlego Mogale,Hawks Spokesperson said the 29-year-old who is a South African citizen was traced and arrested in Mangaung village on Monday,20 January 2025,by a team comprising of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation(Hawks),Crime Intelligence,Tactical Response Team(TRT),Local Criminal Record Centre,Provincial Anti-gang Unit and Provincial Detectives Serious and Violent Crime Unit.He was found in possession of one silver and black Taurus pistol,one pistol magazine with two live ammunition,one brown balaclava and one Samsung Galaxy cellphone.
He confirmed that other three suspects were arrested over the past few days and all of them had appeared before the magistrates court.
"The other three suspects involved on the same matter,Marasane Kabelo Anmony(27),a South African,who was arrested on Thursday,16 January 2025 in Makgalaneng village and appeared in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrates Court on Friday,17 January 2025 facing charges of murder and robbery.The case against him,was postponed to 24 January 2025 to join his Lesotho co-accused,Pakiso Lethako(32),who was arrested on Wednesday,15 January 2025 for bail application.
The third suspect,Lakaje Piet Thetha(53),who was arrested on Friday,17 January 2025,made his first appearance in the same court on Monday,20 January 2025,"said Colonel Mogale.
According to Colonel Mogale,the 29-year-old suspect is expected to appear before Phuthaditjhaba Magistrates Court on Wednesday,22 January 2025 on charges of murder of two police officers,house robbery and possession of unlicensed firearm.He pointed out that the swift apprehension of these suspects has been commended by the national leadership of the Hawks."The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation,Lt Gen (Dr/Adv) SG Lebeya applauded the team who effected the arrests and expressed his gratitude to the communities assisting the investigating team on bringing forward the perpetrators so that they face the mighty arm of the law,"he concluded.
Five suspects remanded in custody for murder of police officer
On Monday,five suspects,a former police official Mthobisi Nkosi(40),Aubrey Xaba(35),Skhumbuzo Skhakhane(40),Nyiko Mujovo(30) and Valencia Skhosana(36) were remanded in custody by the Ermelo Magistrates Court where they were facing charges of murder of Ermelo based Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit Commander,Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius(59) on Thursday,16 Janaury 2025.
Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi,Hawks Spokesperson in Mpumalanga said the suspects were arrested by the team comprised of the Hawks Secunda and Nelspruit based Serious Organised Crime Investigation,Ermelo Detectives,Gert Sibande District Detectives as well as private security and tracking companies in Nelspruit in less than 12 hours after the crime was committed.
He revealed that the victim died in hospital after being shot and the vehicle that was used to commit crime was found burnt to ashes in Ermelo.
"Lieutenant Colonel Pretorius sustained multiple gunshot wounds and later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
A BMW believed to have been used in the commission of crime was found burnt to ashes in Ermelo on Friday,17 January 2025,"he added.
He mentioned that the suspects will appear again in court next week and the case was postponed because other suspect did not have lawyer.
"The suspects are expected to make their second court appearance in the same court on Monday,27 January 2025.
The matter was remanded to allow Mujovo to be legally represented and for further investigation,"he said.
The Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation,Major General Nico Gerber,appreciated the efforts of the investigators and ensures the public that the team appointed to investigate the matter will leave no stone unturned to present a watertight case to court,he concluded.