Wife of late police officer and her accomplice arrested for murder
Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe, has welcomed the arrests of two suspects linked to the South African Police Service (SAPS) Tactical Response Team (TRT) member who was killed in July this year.
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The two suspects were arrested this week. The TRT member, Joseph Kutu, was shot and killed at his home in Vosman in Emalahleni on July 24. The suspects include the late Kutu’s widow and a 39-year-old man. Both of them have since been charged with murder.
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When the news of Kutu’s demise broke in July, MEC Vusi Shongwe said: “Such callousness should never be allowed to thrive in any society. Communities must respect the police because they are our last line of defence in the fight against criminals. We must help the police to urgently bring to book those who are responsible.” “Such acts of cowardice should not discourage our law enforcement officers. They should remain resolute and spurred on to make our communities safer,” Shongwe said at the time.
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He also added that any person attacking the police is attacking the state and such people should be donated to prison where they belong. “We, therefore, welcome progress made by the police so far in this case. Our police should spare no effort to ensure that criminal elements face the full consequences of their horrendous deeds. Finalization of criminal cases also helps families to find closure,” Shongwe added. The suspects are expected to appear in Emalahleni Magistrate Court on Friday, December 17.