ELUKWATINI – A police officer from the local police station has been implicated in the murder of a 26-year-old man.
This comes after he was found with five other suspects in their getaway vehicle after committing a robbery and shooting someone at Disco Liquor Distributors on December 19.
Police information states that employees from the liquor distributor were robbed of R20 000 and were held at gunpoint.
Mr Ncobile Bhembe was shot in the chest during the robbery. He died on the scene, while the assailants fled to Middelburg in a Blue Opel Kadett.
The suspects were, however, arrested by the Middelburg police who were conducting a roadblock on the N4 route.
“Four firearms were discovered in the vehicle. It is alleged that the police officer might be connected to the group of criminals,” explained Const Solly Mbokane, spokesperson for the police.
The suspects, Const KM Nkosi (35), Messrs Linda Michael Cele (29), Petros Mfana Ndzimande (45), Sibusiso Nicholas Ngcane (30), Siphiwe Muzikayifani Nhlapho (37) and Given Sibusiso Simelane (29) appeared before the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court on December 20, where the matter was postponed to January 7.
They were denied bail.
“This proved that the arm of the law is very long and criminals are in for a rough time, not only this previous festive season but throughout the year. The police are probing the matter (sic),” added Mbokane.
The community and the employees of Disco Liquor Distributors are still reeling in shock.
