Suspect arrested following 2020 shooting of Police Constable
A 34-year old suspect appeared before the Belfast Magistrate’s Court today for possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.
The arrest came as a result of lengthy investigation carried out by a multidisciplinary team comprising of the Middelburg based Serious Organized Crime Investigation Unit,
KwaMhlanga Crime Intelligence, Middelburg K9, Kwaggafontein Detectives, Hazyview Public Order Policing Unit (POP) and Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), who were all involved in tracing the suspect believed to have murdered late Constable Mdluli, who was stationed at Kwaggafontein Police Station.
It is alleged that during the night of 26 May 2020, the late Constable Mdluli, stationed at Kwaggafontein Police Station, was on duty together with his colleagues, doing normal patrol duties when they noticed a suspicious speeding vehicle. The members followed the vehicle and attempted to stop it.
During a confrontation with the driver, it was reported that three suspects started shooting at the Police members, fatally wounding the late Constable Mdluli, before they fled the crime scene in a VW Polo.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle was hijacked, and the victim was still inside the vehicle.
The victim reported that he was hijacked by three suspects who were driving a white Polo with police lights.
He further alleged that the police officer was shot by one of those suspects.
Information was then gathered regarding the suspect.
A warrant of arrest was authorised and executed at Dullstroom in search of the suspect.
The suspect was found at his parents residence and was arrested on the same day.
During the arrest, a search was conducted and a pistol with missing serial numbers was found hidden in a toilet with a magazine and six live rounds.
The exhibits were packaged and sent for ballistic analysis.
The suspect was taken to Belfast Magistrate’s Court on 27 May 2020, to appear on charges of possession of illegal firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.
The matter was not placed on the court roll pending the ballistic analysis report regarding the firearm.
The case was handed over to the Hawks Middelburg based Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit for further investigation.
After a lengthy period, the ballistic report was obtained.
A J50 warrant of arrest was authorized and executed on October 2, based on information regarding the hideout of the suspect.
KwaMhlanga Crime Intelligence (CI) and the Hazyview Public Order Policing unit (POP) swiftly arrested the suspect.
The suspect was charged and detained pending his court appearance on Friday, October 4.
