An executive member of the Bushbuckridge community policing forum (CPF), Kgotatso Mathebula (36), appeared in the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court on Monday, September 16. He faces charges of defeating the ends of justice and possession of an illegal firearm. He was arrested in Shatale at about 20:00 on Saturday, September 14.
According to a provincial police spokesperson, Captain Magonseni Nkosi, Mathebula allegedly tampered with a crime scene following a shooting incident. Nkosi told the newspaper the suspect has been remanded in custody until Thursday, September 19, when he will appear in court for bail application.
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According to information, a family was attacked at their home in Shatale, Bushbuckridge, by three suspects who fatally shot a 35-year-old woman and wounded three others. Nkosi said one of the wounded family members managed to fight back and disarm one of the assailants.
“In the process, a shot went off and hit the suspect,” he said.
“Some neighbours and CPF members, also working as security guards, came to assist. Mathebula, who was also present as part of the CPF group, allegedly took the firearm and disappeared while the others were securing the suspect, and reappeared later without the firearm.”
Some officials of Operation Shanela were called to the scene.
Nkosi said when asked about the whereabouts of the firearm, Mathebula denied any knowledge of it, but after a short interview he led police to where it was concealed. He said the police launched a search for two other suspects who had fled the scene after the shooting in a Toyota Hilux with no registration plates. When spotted by the police, they were pulled over, but fled the scene on foot.
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“According to information received from officials on the scene, both suspects were armed. The vehicle, and the firearm used during the shooting with police insignia engraved on it and its serial numbers filed off, were seized for further investigation. Twenty-eight spent cartridge cases were collected from the scene,” Nkosi said.
The wounded suspect will appear in court once he has recovered from his wounds.
