Johannesburg,South Africa

The South African Police Service(SAPS) has confirmed that Hawks in Mpumalanga arrested the suspect which is linked to the murder of an off-duty police officer two months ago at Kanyamazane.

According to police statement,Jacky Sibusiso Ntiwane(Maseko)(35),who was sought by the Hawks Nelspruit based Serious Organised Crime Investigation and published on different media platforms on 14 January 2024 was arrested on Wednesday,20 March 2024 at his hiding place in Kanyamazane.

Police reported that Ntiwane was wanted for killing Mthomboti who was off-duty during the shootout at car wash at Kanyamaze.

"He was sought for the murder of the off-duty police officer,the late Captain Sibusiso Mthomboti(44),who lost his life during a shootout at Kanyamazane car wash on Saturday,13 January 2024 at about 21:45,"said Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone.

Ntiwane was found by police hiding in Kanyamazane and his arrests was executed by Hawks accompanied by Crime Intelligence.

"The arrest followed after information was received by the leading investigating team of the Hawks together with the Crime Intelligence of his hiding place.

"DPCI made use of Crime Intelligence as our important role-player to assist in gathering information which led to the arrest of the suspect.

The team comprising of Nelspruit Crime Intelligence,Provincial Tracking Team and Tactical Respond Team,risked their lives by approaching the house of the suspect who was known to be armed on the early hours of Wednesday,at about 02:00,"said Mokgwabone.

The suspect was cornered and arrested,then on Friday,22 March 2024,he appeared before the Kabokweni Magistrate Court where he was facing charges of murder.

His case was postponed to Thursday,4 April 2024 for bail application and the accused remain in custody.

"The Acting-Provincial Head of the Hawks,Brigadier William Mokonyama,commended the collaboration of the team which led to the arrest of the murderer who was on the run.

He further appreciated the community of Mpumalanga for their constant assistant in providing positive information which resulted in the apprehension of the accused,"concludes Mokgwabone.

Three Zimbabweans arrested with stolen diesel

Three Zimbabwean nationals arrested by police after being found in possession of thousands of liters of stolen diesel on Thursday in Ogies,Mpumalanga Province.

According to statement,an operation by multidisciplinary team comprised of the Middleburg Flying Squad,DPCI(Middleburg Organised Crime),Nkangala District Task Team as well as Department of Environmental Affairs,Tracker Connect and Bidvest Security managed to recover 2,187 litres of suspected stolen diesel in Ogies yesterday,Thursday 21 March 2024.

Police has clarified that an arrest of these foreign nationals was coincidence because during their arrest police were busy following another suspects for theft of coal in the Middleburg mines.

"Three Zimbabwean nationals aged between 24 and 30 were found in different locations with several containers filled with diesel.

"The team was assembled after a follow-up on theft of coal in one Middleburg mines in February this year(2024) was reported.

"When members were busy with a follow up on the information,three light delivery vehicles.These are two Isuzu bakkie and one Nissan NP200 bakkie.These cars were found fully loaded with containers filled with diesel.All drivers could not produce the proof of purchase,hence they were arrested for possession of suspected stolen property,illegal dealing in diesel and contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa.

"The vehicles,and a generator as well as diesel pumping pipes were seized for further investigation.

All suspects are expected to appear at the Ogies Magistrate's Court soon,"said Colonel Donald Mdhluli.