The Mthatha based Serious Organised Crime Investigation team of the Hawks in conjunction with Tactical Response Team (TRT) as well as Local Record Centre (LCRC) arrested three suspects aged between (30) and (33) on 17 August 2023 for the allegations of police murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
It is alleged that the team received information about the suspects that were driving a Blue Toyota Tazz suspected to have murdered Sergeant Obey Sotoyi who was attached to Mthatha Stock Theft Unit on 05 August 2023 at Langeni Township in the Tsolo area. It is reported that the team followed up information and spotted the said vehicle near Ross Mission on the R61 towards Ngcobo. It is further alleged that the police stopped the suspects and one suspect in an attempt to evade arrest alighted from the vehicle and fled on foot leaving two suspects in the vehicle. It is further reported that the police chased the suspect and apprehended him. Upon searching him, a 9mm vector pistol with eleven (11) live ammunition rounds was found in his possession. He was arrested on the spot. On circulation, the firearm found in his possession was confirmed to be that of the police official that was murdered.
The police further searched the vehicle where two suspects were found in possession of a Glock 9mm pistol with 18 live rounds of ammunition. The two suspects were also apprehended on the spot.
The suspects are expected to appear in Mthatha Magistrate’s court on 18 August 2023 while police murder allegations are being investigated.