Eight suspects are expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court today (July 11), following the murder and hijacking of an off-duty 38-year-old police officer in Boksburg.
According to Hawks spokesperson Colonel Philani Nkwalase, Sergeant Siyabonga Enoch Shabalala from Hillbrow SAPS was last seen in Windmill Park on July 5.
He was with his sister when they were approached by three gunmen who allegedly pushed his sister out of the vehicle before opening fire on Shabalala. The assailants drove away in the injured officer’s vehicle with him inside.
His body was found by a cattle herder in an open field in Mapleton near the R103 Old Heidelberg Road the following day. The man alerted the authorities.
A preliminary investigation revealed that Shabalala sustained a gunshot wound to his stomach.
Investigations led to the recovery of his vehicle in Ulandolozo Street, in Mailula Section, Vosloorus, on July 6.
Three men, aged between 28 and 42, were arrested after officers found them at the premises, allegedly busy stripping the hijacked vehicle.
A firearm was also found at the premises.
They were arrested by the Provincial Investigation Unit (PIU), Gauteng’s Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, highway patrol, JMPD K9, EMPD STT and Johannesburg Flying Squad.
The suspects made their first court appearance last week facing charges of possession of a hijacked vehicle and vehicle parts as well as the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. The case against the trio was postponed to today (July 11).
Additionally, five suspects aged between 23 and 30, believed to be involved in the killing of the officer, were arrested on July 7.
The integrated police team, including the national crime intelligence, pounced on the men at their apparent hideout in Phelinda Street, Phumula, Germiston.
During a search, three firearms, including a z88 pistol belonging to the deceased police sergeant and a 9mm pistol belonging to Stallion Security, allegedly stolen in Alberton in October last year, were recovered.
All five suspects arrested are expected to appear along with the previously arrested trio in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court today on charges of murder, kidnapping and hijacking.
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