UPDATE: Cop killer gang member arrested
A member of the gang that shot and killed Warrant Officer Jeriko Mdletshe and wounded Constable Senzo Ndwandwe near Gingindlovu has been arrested
MUSAWENKOSI ‘Loh’ Ngema (25), believed to be a member of the gang that shot and killed Warrant Officer Jeriko Mdletshe and wounded Constable Senzo Ndwandwe near Gingindlovu in November, has been arrested.
The KZN North Region Crime Intelligence Unit, together with a Special Task Force from Durban, received leads that Ngema, who is also wanted for a large number of crimes committed across the province, would be in eShowe on Sunday.
Acting on the information, the units travelled to the Mbangolwane area where Ngema lived, arriving at around midnight.
According to one crime intelligence officer, they arrived minutes after Ngema.
‘We managed to conduct a raid and arrest Ngema along with five other men between the ages of 18 and 60 who have been taken in for questioning,’ he said.
Ngema, who was shot three times in the left leg during the shoot-out in Gingindlovu, had been part of the gang who police eventually caught in Greytown on 20 November.
That day, he had not been travelling with them and the ensuing gun battle ended in the death of all seven suspects.
Ngema never had the bullet wounds treated.
It is believed the gang committed a string of business robberies in Gingindlovu, Newlands East, Phoenix, Mandeni, Umlazi, Mayville and eShowe between October and November last year.
‘We understand that this same gang was also involved in the killing of W/O Ashok Ramsakken in KwaMashu last year.’
Ngema was initially held in Empangeni and then taken to Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court this week where the multiple dockets will be combined so that prosecutors can present one case.
The officer confirmed that the investigation was not yet concluded, as one remaining suspect has manged to elude the police.
‘Members of my unit narrowly missed netting the last remaining suspect recently.
‘He is a more senior member of the so-called gang and always has an AK47 rifle in his possession.
‘He is known to us as an extremely dangerous man, but we will catch him soon. It’s only a matter of time.’
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
