Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, the provincial police commissioner of Mpumalanga, has hailed the arrest of a third suspect in connection with the killing of a councillor in Mkhondo last week.
In a statement, province SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said a suspect aged 40 was apprehended on Monday by the team investigating the murder.
The suspect, a resident of uMbumbulu in KwaZulu-Natal, was detained and finally charged with murder. Today, he will appear in front of the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court.
Councillor Sbonelo (Mthembu) Ntshangase (36), Sandile Khumalo (51), and Sizwe Mbingo (40) were shot killed in the Longhomes Township in Piet Retief about 8pm on Friday, January 13, 2023.
“It is further alleged that suspects fired multiple shots at Mr Ntshangase who was in the yard, and also shot Mr Mbingo inside a bakkie who sadly died at the scene whilst Mr Khumalo was shot in the yard as well. Thereafter the suspects fled to unknown direction.
“The police in Piet Retief as well as the paramedics were informed about the incident whilst Mr Ntshangase and Mr Khumalo were privately taken to a nearby hospital. Mr Khumalo was unfortunately certified dead on arrival meanwhile Mr Ntshangase regrettably succumbed to his injuries moments later.”
Lieutenant General Manamela promptly organized a team of committed professionals in the area of inquiry after opening a case involving three charges of murder.
Tuesday, police announced the arrest of two male suspects and the seizure of an automatic rifle and ammunition. They have been charged with unlicensed weapon and ammunition possession.
The Provincial Commissioner encouraged the public, particularly the relatives and coworkers of the victims, to stay calm and give police the room to investigate and apprehend all of the culprits while allowing the law to take its course.
“We have always stayed true and committed to our call of duty, that of preventing crime, and when crime has been committed we are obligated in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, to investigate and bring perpetrators thereof to book.
“We still need support from members of the public regarding further details which may assist in the investigation to come forth. We promise to treat such information with much delicacy,” she said.
»Police arrests the third suspect in Mkhondo councillor murder last week«