Ndudi Anyim
Two men accused of killing a Police Constable, Rabelani Netshivhambe on March 26, have been arrested and are to be arraigned in court on Monday, 29th March, 2021.
The Policeman was reportedly killed while he and his partner were tracing suspects linked to a spate of business robberies in Madombidzha, Madabani, Tshikwarani and Maebane.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the Constable and his partner, a Sergeant were called out after two suspects had robbed spaza shop owners in the area.
According to the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Khehla Sitole, the Policemen were searching for the suspects, when they came across two men on foot in Maebane Village. “ The Policemen stopped to question the men as they matched the description of the robbery suspects. One of the men shot at the Policemen, hitting Constable Netshivhambe on his thigh. The two men then fled the scene.
“ The 31-year-old officer was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the following day, Constable Netshivhambe was only two years in the Service, having joined the Police in March 2019.
“ After the incident, the Province immediately implemented the 72-Hour Activation Plan mobilising all resources needed to investigate and trace the perpetrators. The suspects, aged 32 and 41 were traced and arrested the following day at their hideouts in Maebane Village.
“ They will be appearing in Tshilwavhusikhu Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, facing charges of murder, attempted murder, business robbery and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, ” he said.
Sitole added that Police recovered a 9mm pistol and 15 rounds of ammunition, as he commended the Limpopo Police for the swift arrest of the perpetrators allegedly responsible for murder of Constable Netshivhambe.
He also sent his condolences, on behalf of the SAPS, to the family and friends of the deceased operative.