One shot, four arrested for Limpopo cop killing
The suspects who allegedly killed Lt Col Tshitereke Freddie Masuvhelele (58), were also terrorising communities and businesses in the Vhembe and Mopani districts.
LIMPOPO – Members of the Provincial Tracking Team and Provincial Investigations Unit have made a breakthrough in the killing of Lt Col Tshitereke Freddie Masuvhelele (58).
Masuvhelele, who was attached to the Provincial Crime Intelligence Unit, was gunned down during a business robbery at Masuvhelele Enterprise in Malonga village, Vuwani on October 8.
Read more: Crime intelligence officer gunned down in Vuwani, Limpopo
Provincial police commissioner Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe immediately ordered a 72-hour activation plan to track down the culprits involved, and the team’s information led them to Kwa-Mhlanga in Mpumalanga.
Assisted by Tracker SA, the team managed to corner the men at their hideout.
Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo said one suspect (31) was killed and four others were apprehended following a shootout with police.
Police recovered three 9mm pistols, 500 rounds of live ammunition, police handcuffs and pepper spray, cellphones and car keys.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that one of the firearms belonged to a police officer and was reported stolen in Giyani earlier this year. Further investigations will be conducted to determine the origin of the other items,” Mojapelo’s statement read.
He added that the men are believed to have terrorised communities and businesses in the Vhembe and Mopani districts through business robberies, carjacking, rapes, murder and theft.
“In an incident that took place the day before Lt Col Masuvhelele’s murder, the suspects allegedly hijacked a couple at Mashamba village in the Waterval policing area. They shot the man and robbed the couple of their cellphones and cash and thereafter, drove with them while the man was inside the boot and the woman handcuffed. They then hijacked another couple the same day, leaving behind the first victims. The man later succumbed to his injuries,” he explained.
Mojapelo said the men were involved in another hijacking and robbery incident on October 7. “The suspects reportedly shot and injured a female traffic officer.”
Hadebe commended the team who arrested the men. “We continue to work hard in squeezing these criminals out of their hiding places and create a safer place for our society. We hope justice will be served for all the victims,” she added.
Mojapelo said the men will soon appear in various magistrate’s courts in the Vhembe and Mopani districts, to face charges of murder, rape, carjacking, business robbery, theft and attempted murder.
“They will also appear in Mpumalanga on charges of the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, the possession of suspected stolen properties, attempted murder and murder. Police investigations are still continuing,” Mojapelo concluded.
