Three suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Police Constable Pieter de Lange during a shooting incident in Ladanna in November last year, are expected to continue with bail application in the Polokwane Regional Court next week.
Phuti Mehlape (31) appeared before the Seshego Magistrate’s Court within days after he was arrested at his home in Seshego during an operation by the Hawks in January.
It was later learnt that two other suspects had also been arrested in connection with the matter but Limpopo Hawks Spokesperson Matimba Maluleke has since not been able to provide more information on the suspects.
Maluleke previously indicated that Mehlape was arrested during a multi-discipline operation conducted by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, Limpopo Crime Intelligence Unit, Mankweng Tracing Team and Westenburg Police.
During the arrest Police confiscated an unlicensed firearm and a suspected stolen motor vehicle.
De Lange who was allegedly doing observations with regards to drug dealing at a notorious crime hotspot in Ladanna, was gunned down when two vehicles – one reportedly a BMW – allegedly stopped next to the vehicle De Lange was in and opened fire.
De Lange was hit and died on the way to hospital.
The BMW allegedly used in the crime was recovered not far from the scene the same day.
Story: RC Myburgh
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