Two nabbed for the murder of Warrant Officer Du Rand
One of the suspects, Ramotsoenyane was arrested at a residence in Vanderbiljpark where he was found in possession of a suspected stolen vehicle, an Isuzu bakkie with police markings, police bulletproof vests, police uniforms, and an unlicensed R5 rifle.
VILLIERS. – The two suspects nabbed in connection with the murder of 47-year-old Detective Warrant Officer Neels Du Rand, the Detective Commander of Villiers SAPS made a brief appearance at the Vanderbijlpark and Frankfort Magistrates Court respectively on Monday 09 June.
Du Rand sustained four gunshot wounds to his back and was declared dead on the scene by emergency services after he followed a hijacked truck in the early hours of Friday, 9 June.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Josephine Rani reports that at about 02:45, Du Rand called Villiers police station informing them that he is following a hijacked truck on the gravel road between Villiers and Standerton requesting backup.
“The members of Villiers police station swiftly followed the information, and while searching for the member they noticed a portion of a wire fence damaged at a farm. They continued to check on the farm and discovered an Isuzu bakkie belonging to Warrant Officer Du Rand. They checked the vehicle and found the member in the vehicle motionless; they had to break the window to gain entrance into the vehicle.
“Nothing was taken from him or his vehicle. The hijacked truck was found abandoned about 8km towards Standerton, Mpumalanga Province,” she said.
Police spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale confirms that the duo was arrested over the weekend.
“The duo was arrested by the Fezile Dabi District Trio Task Team during the past weekend. Ramotsoenyane was arrested at a residence in Vanderbiljpark where he was found in possession of a suspected stolen vehicle, an Isuzu bakkie with police markings, police bulletproof vests, police uniforms, and an unlicensed R5 rifle.
“Antonio was arrested in Soweto on Saturday, 10 June 2023. This is a result of a spate of robberies committed in Cornelia, Free State including a truck hijacking that occurred on the N3 highway.”
Mogale says the matter has been referred to the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in Bethlehem for further investigation.
“Preliminary investigation linked the duo to three cases tracing back to the murder of Warrant Officer Du Randt. The matter was remanded and the two accused will appear again in the Frankfort Magistrates’ Court on 20 June 2023 for both accused to appoint their legal representatives.
“Ramotsoenyane also made a brief appearance in Vanderbiljpark Magistrates’ Court on 12 June 2023 for possession of stolen property, possession of Police uniforms, and possession of unlicensed ammunition. He will be appearing again in the same court on 19 June 2023.”
The Provincial Head of Free State, Major General Mokgadi Bokaba commended the multi-disciplinary team led by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime for the success achieved in the arrest of the two suspects.
“Their tireless work over the weekend in bringing perpetrators to book is appreciated. The team will not rest until all perpetrators are brought to book”.
