Publications
Partners
- Mpumalanga police have intensified their search for a suspect in the murder of an off-duty cop.
- Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi said the police made a breakthrough in the case last month and arrested one of the suspects, Sibusiso Ntiwane, who is in police custody.
- Sekgotodi said residents who share information about another suspect, Blessing Fakude's whereabouts, will be protected.
Mpumalanga police have intensified the search for a suspect in the murder of an off-duty police officer earlier this year.
Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, spokesperson for the Hawks, said the Kabokweni Magistrate's Court in Mpumalanga issued a warrant of arrest for fugitive Blessing Fakude on Monday.
She said Fakude, 35, is linked to the murder of Captain Sibusiso Bethwell Mthombothi during a brawl at a car wash in KaNyamazane in January.
Sekgotodi said the police made a breakthrough in the case last month when they apprehended Fakude's co-accused, Sibusiso Ntiwane, following an intelligence-led investigation into his whereabouts.
"The team comprising Nelspruit Crime Intelligence, Provincial Tracking and Tactical Response teams, risked their lives by approaching the house of the accused, who was known to be armed. The accused was cornered and arrested," said Sekgotodi.
Ntiwane appeared in the Kabokweni Magistrate Court on 22 March. He remains in police custody as he abandoned a bail application over safety concerns.
He is expected to appear in court again on 10 May.
Major-General Nicholas Gerber, the head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, urged Fakude to hand himself over to the authorities. He further appealed to residents to share information about his whereabouts with law enforcement.
Members of the public with information can contact investigating officers on the following numbers: Captain Mduduzi Comfort Mkhonza on 0823040052 or Lt Col Erhard Stroh on 0823008315.
"All information received will be treated confidentiality," said Sekgotodi.
READ | Off-duty Mpumalanga cop shot dead metres away from his home
News24 previously reported that Mthombothi was shot and killed at a car wash in KaNyamazane, allegedly by a motorist who had bumped into his vehicle at the establishment.
According to Sekgotodi, a Crime Intelligence sergeant at the scene intervened, and the motorist agreed to pay Mthombothi R5 000.
Sekgotodi said the CI officer drove the perpetrator's car to Mthombothi's family home pending the payment, leading to a dispute between the two motorists.
"It is alleged that an argument ensued between the suspect and the deceased. When the sergeant came back [to the car wash], he found the police captain shot.
"According to the witnesses, it is alleged that during the argument, the suspect took out the firearm and shot at the deceased. He later succumbed to his injuries," said Sekgotodi.
