By Augustine Ehikioya
The Police in South Africa has launched manhunt for murder suspects in Katkop.
The suspects were said to be behind the brutal killing of five people at Zwelitsha Locality.
This was contained in a statement by Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana, of South African Police Service, Office of the Provincial Commissioner Eastern Cape, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA) on Monday.
The statement said “The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Zithulele Dladla has expressed shock and dismay at the brutal killing of five people at Zwelitsha Locality, Saturday evening 23rd October, 2021 in Katkop. He condemned the killings and described them as “heartless and insensitive.”
“According to the information, on Friday, 22nd October, 2021, the family had a traditional wedding engagement ceremony for one of the deceased. The report further suggests that the family gathered again on Saturday to wrap up and conclude the ceremony.
“It is alleged that whilst the five deceased men aged between 30 and 50 were sitting in one of the rondavels in the homestead, unidentified male suspects appeared and started shooting and killing all of them at the scene. They thereafter disappeared without trace. The number of the suspects is also unknown.”
The statement said the motive for the shooting and killings is not known at this stage.
The Police, the statement said, has registered five murder cases for investigation.
“No arrest has been made at this stage. Major General Dladla has ordered the establishment of a special task team of capable investigators to trace, track and arrest the culprits.
“A 72 hour mobilization plan has also been activated in order to rally all the necessary resources for a possible speedy arrest of the suspects,” it said.
The statement also appealed to any one with information that will lead to the arrest of the suspects to please make contact with Katkop Police Station or call the Investigating Officer, Colonel Mtshiyo at 071 475 2292 or dial 08600 10111.
Another statement by Captain Nqobile Gwala of South African Police Service, Office of the Provincial Commissioner KwaZulu-Natal, disclosed that Police officials in the Province have arrested four persons for killing a retired Police Officer.
From preliminary investigation, it was discovered that among the four suspects is a relative of the deceased.
It said “On 22 October 2021 at 14:00, Melmoth detectives received intelligence regarding a vehicle that had blood stains at a service station in Eshowe.
“The team proceeded to the location where a vehicle was found with two men. The men were interrogated regarding the blood that they were cleaning in the vehicle.
“It was established that the men were hired to kill Sibusiso Mbonambi (62), a retired Police Officer. Mbonambi was stationed at Eshowe SAPS where he was a Warrant Officer when he retired.
“The Police worked tirelessly throughout the night trying to locate the body which was reported to be dumped in the bushes at Makhasaneni area in Melmoth. Yesterday morning at 04:00, the body of the retired Policeman was found in the bushes with gunshot wounds to the upper body.”
The statement went on “Further investigation led Police to the arrest of two more suspects at Eshowe. One of the suspects is related to the deceased, while the other suspect is a former employee of a Community Radio Station.
“During the course of the investigation it was revealed that the deceased was killed due to insurance policies that were matured. Four suspects aged between 28 and 38 are expected to appear before the Melmoth Magistrate’s Court tomorrow on charges of murder,” it stated.