By Augustine Ehikioya
For the murder of Policemen in South Africa and other offences, three suspects are now in custody to face the law.
The suspects were apprehended in Mtubatuba area and KwaMsane on Friday, 03 September 2021.
While three of them had appeared in court on Monday, the third appeared in the Esikhaleni Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 07 September 2021.
A press statement by Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo of the
Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (HAWKS), Kwazulu-Natal Province, made available to Security Watch Africa, said “Three suspects in custody for various offences including murder of Police officials and possession of unlicensed firearms.
“It is alleged that on 27 August 2021 Sergeant Nkosinathi Ngcobo (41) who was stationed at Richards Bay Police station was fatally shot and robbed of his service pistol whilst he was on his way to pick up a colleague at Port Dunford.
“The suspects fled the scene in their getaway vehicle and a case of murder was reported at Esikhaleni Police station. The case docket was allocated to Richards Bay Serious Organised Crime unit for further investigation”, Mhlongo said.
The statement also recalled that two Road Traffic Inspectorate members, Sizwe Sithole (49) and Mxolisi Lamula (35) were also fatally shot by unknown suspects on 30 August 2021 while they were patrolling in Mtubatuba area near Nkodibe.
“They were both robbed off their service pistols and ammunition.
Police received information about the whereabouts of the suspects and proceeded to the said location. Two suspects were arrested and found in possession of one unlicensed firearm as well as live ammunition.
“The two suspects aged 28yrs and 29yrs were charged accordingly and have appeared in the KwaMsane Magistrate’s Court.
“Their arrest led to an additional apprehension of a 32-year-old suspect who was charged for three above mentioned Police murders and armed robberies.
“During his arrest, he was also found in possession of unlicensed firearm and live rounds of ammunition”.
Both firearms, Mhlongo said, will be sent for ballistic testing to ascertain if they were used in the commission of other crimes.
The statement also added that “More arrests are expected to be made”.