The investigation is ongoing as a former police official waits in custody for his next court appearance which was moved to later in the year.
The 43-year-old former police official who was stationed in Gauteng, Moseti David Ditle, appeared before the Mdutjane Magistrate’s Court in Siyabuswa facing charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, as well as other crimes. He appeared on September 10 and his next appearance is scheduled for later this year. According to Colonel Leonard Hlathi, Corporate Communication Directorate of Mpumalanga, his bail application was supposed to take place on September 18 but was postponed to later this year. He is still in custody.
On September 10 members from Crime Intelligence and Gathering in conjunction with the police in Siyabuswa acted on information regarding a wanted suspect for crimes committed in Middelburg and eMalahleni. They then found the suspect, searched him and found keys for vehicles in his possession. Further investigation led the police to a house in Siyabuswa that apparently belonged to his girlfriend.
“During the search, they seized two 9mm pistols, a 38 Special revolver and ammunition of different calibre weapons. They also seized 25 empty cartridges from 9mm pistol as well as 15 cell phones. Police further confiscated a red Toyota Corolla which is believed to have been hijacked in eMalahleni,” explained Col. Hlathi.
Further investigation led police to Ditle’s accomplices who were driving around Siyabuswa. Police traced and spotted them driving in a white Toyota Corolla. When Ditle’s accomplices noticed the police, they jumped out of the vehicle and fled the scene. This vehicle is suspected to be the one which was allegedly used by Ditle and his accomplices as a getaway during a hijacking that took place in eMalahleni early this month.
A profiling of Ditle is underway to verify his involvement in other crimes and the firearms will be sent for ballistic test. Not much detail has been given about his history with the police. They have also launched a manhunt for the other suspects. He is also expected to appear before eMalahleni and Middelburg courts soon.
