Three suspects in custody for various offenses including the murder of police officials and possession of unlicensed firearms. The suspects were apprehended in the Mtubatuba area and KwaMsane on Friday, 03 September 2021.
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.
On 30 August 2021 two Road Traffic Inspectorate members, Sizwe Sithole (49) and Mxolisi Lamula (35) were also fatally shot by unknown suspects while they were patrolling in the Mtubatuba area near Nkodibe. They were both robbed of 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 28 and 29 were charged accordingly and are expected to appear in the KwaMsane Magistrate’s Court today.
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 an unlicensed firearm and live rounds of ammunition. He is expected to appear in the Mtubatuba Magistrates’ court today and Esikhaleni Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 07 September 2021.
Both firearms will be sent for ballistic testing to ascertain if they were used in the commission of other crimes. More arrests are expected.