Police nab sixth suspect in murder of Collins Chabane mayor

Limpopo police have successfully linked a sixth suspect to the murder of Moses Maluleke, who was the mayor of Collins Chabane Municipality.

Maluleke, 56, was gunned down in his home in Saselamani Village on Thursday, 21 July 2022.

His 18-year-old son was also shot and wounded.

Politically motivated?

It is understood Maluleke and his son were approached by three unknown suspects who demanded money from the father and son.

Police said when the pair could not comply with the suspects’ instructions, they were allegedly shot at by the trio.

The Collins Chabane mayor died from his wounds on the scene while his son was rushed to hospital.

Villagers and those close to Maluleke believe his murder to be a politically motivated assassination, because of his strict leadership style and locking down of dodgy tenders.

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Sixth suspect

Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the sixth suspect, a 31-year-old man, was on the radar of the investigating team since the mayor was killed and was cornered in Thohoyandou on 30 October 2022.

“Before he could be apprehended, he allegedly started firing at the police who returned fire and was in the process shot and injured. He was then hospitalised.

“He is facing a series of other serious crimes, including the murder of a legal aid lawyer in Thohoyandou and business robberies committed in the Vhembe District.”

Mojapelo said the suspect will appear in the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 13 December 2022.

“He will appear together with his five accomplices who will be applying for bail,” he said.

Charges

Initially, only four suspects were arrested and appeared in court. However, they all abandoned their bail applications.

They are facing several charges, including robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

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