LIMPOPO – Following the killing of High School Educator, Thomas Ngobeni (52) from Nwa-Makena village outside Giyani, four suspects were spotted by the community in the Namakgale policing area and as a result, an intensive joint operation composed of the Saps Namakgale, Rhino 9 Task Team and the Phalaborwa CPF, was immediately activated and tracing of the suspects began.
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Four suspects between the ages of 27 and 42-years-old were cornered and arrested in the Namakgale policing area, outside Phalaborwa, police spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe confimed.
“One of these suspects was found to be a wanted suspect for a series of serious and violent crimes in the Hoedspruit policing area. The suspect also escaped from lawful custody at the Bushbuckridge Police Station in Mpumalanga,” he added.
The suspects were linked to Ngobeni’s murder and the following items were recovered during their arrest:
– One motor vehicle believed to be the one highjacked from the deceased.
– Three firearms.
– 34 rounds of live ammunition.
Ngoepe says the suspects will first appear before the Namakgale Magistrate Court, today, on charges of possession of firearms and ammunition without license as well as possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.
“They will later appear before the Giyani Magistrate Court on charges of murder and carjacking.”
Provincial Commissioner, Lt. General Nneke Ledwaba, has commended all police officers and other role players who participated during this operation for the job well done.
“We are equal to the task as the police and communities must continue supporting us through partnership policing and with the supply of quality and reliable information about any criminal activity occurring around their areas in order for us to deal with them successfully,” concluded General Ledwaba.
