Thomas Ngobeni (52) from Nwa-Makena Village outside Giyani, who was a teacher at Mbangezika High School at Shikukwani Village was found dead in the bushes with school examination papers lying next to his body.
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe, said that following the killing an intensive joint police operation inconjuction with the Community Police Forum was launched and four suspects aged between 27 and 42 were cornered and arrested in the Namakgale policing area outside Phalaborwa.
Read: High school teacher found murdered
Ngoepe said one of the four suspects was found to be the most wanted criminal linked to a series of serious and violent crimes such as house robberies, farm attacks, murders in the Hoedspruit policing area, escaping from lawful custody at Bushbuckridge Police Station in the Mpumalanga Province and for bussiness robberies in the Namakgale, Maake and Tzaneen policing areas.
The suspects were linked to the Giyani murder following the recovery of a motor vehicle believed to be the one highjacked from the victim.
Ngoepe said police also recovered three firearms and 34 live ammunition rounds during the arrests. The suspects were due to appear in the Namakgale Magistrate Court to face charges of possession of firearms and ammunition without a license and possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.
They will later appear in the Giyani Magistrate Court on charges of murder and carjacking.Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba, commended all the police officers and other role players who participated during the operation for the job well done.
He reiterated his strong warning to all the criminals out there that Limpopo cannot be turned into their playground.
“We are equal to the task as the police and members of the community must continue supporting us through partnership policing. With the supply of quality and reliable information about any criminal activity occurring police will deal with criminals successfully,” concluded General Ledwaba.
