Mozambicans remain in custody after Mpumalanga official’s hijacking and murder

Three of the five Mozambican nationals accused of hijacking and murdering a municipal official, were remanded in custody after a brief court appearance on Tuesday.

Nkangala District Municipality communications manager David “Sombu” Masombuka was found dead in bushes near a fuel station in Witbank, Mpumalanga over the weekend.

Three of the accused appeared at Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court, facing multiple charges, including murder, hijacking, and possession of suspected stolen property. Their case was postponed to 11 October for further investigation.

The other two accused will appear in court on Wednesday.

According to Colonel Donald Mdhluli, the South African Police Services (Saps) is working with the Department of Home Affairs to determine the suspects’ immigration status.

This could potentially add charges related to contravention of the Immigration Act.

Victims murdered before reaching their destination

Concerns over Masombuka’s whereabouts arose when he failed to arrive at a municipal meeting in Witbank on Sunday after driving from Kwamhlanga in KwaZulu-Natal.

His family tried to get hold of him without any luck and reported him missing at Kwamhlanga Police Station.

A tracking company later located the victim’s vehicle near a fuel station in Witbank. Police intercepted the car, where they found the five suspects.

Details around the murder and how it was committed have not yet been released.

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Suspects found in possession of the victim’s personal belongings

Colonel Mdhluli said the suspects were found with personal items believed to belong to Masombuka during their arrest.

Further investigation by the police led to the discovery of the victim’s body.

Acting Provincial Commissioner of the Saps in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, strongly condemned the incident while praising the collaborative efforts of the tracker company and the police.

“The collaboration between the tracker company and Saps members was instrumental in bringing the suspects to justice. We await the legal process to unfold and seek justice for the slain victim.”

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