Warrant Officer Thabo Mahlaba (50), a Kagiso police officer who went missing on 5 June, was found dead at a mine shaft near the R41 in Randfontein.
The news’ sister publication Randfontein Herald reported that mining officials came across his body on Wednesday (18 June) and contacted the Randfontein Police, who later identified the officer.
Randfontein SAPS spokesperson Appel Ernst told the Herald that police could not disclose details regarding injuries to the body, but that foul play was suspected and that a case of murder was opened.
According to provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini, Mahlaba’s body was in a decomposed state at the time the discovery was made.
Mahlaba was reported missing by his wife on 6 June after he had not returned home.
He was said to have left his home in Kagiso travelling to Krugersdorp where he went to an Absa bank to withdraw money. He was captured by the bank’s cameras at 12.45pm and was not seen since.
Mahlaba, a career policeman spent 27 years in the SAPS and worked at the crime prevention office in Kagiso.
Readers took to the news’ website to comment on the case.
Reginald M wrote:
I truly feel sad about his passing and the way he was discovered. A very friendly and fun-loving person. May his soul rest in peace. You’ll never be forgotten; you touched our lives in different ways until they took you away from us.
Tshidi wrote:
May his soul rest in peace, I am so touched. I knew Mr Mahlaba and I feel bad about what happened. I hope that God would lead police during investigations.
Riaan Stander wrote:
I truly hope the police are going to catch this criminal and not mess up the investigation. It is a very sad country where policemen and women are targets for criminals. Just goes to show the lack of respect for this country’s judicial system.
