Man accused of killing Durban metro police officer to stay in jail

A 28-year-old man facing charges for the murder of a Metro police official in Durban will be spending the next few weeks in jail after he was remanded in custody, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has said.

According to Hawks provincial spokesperson Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo, members from Durban Serious Organised Crime Investigation working together with Metro Police, Durban Central detectives and Ethekwini District Task Team arrested Thembelani Khuboni for Xolani Cele’s murder.

“It is alleged that on Saturday Constable Xolani Cele (42) was sitting in his private vehicle at M section in Umlazi. Whilst chatting to someone, unknown suspects fired several shots at him and he died at the scene. He was then robbed of his service pistol with live round of ammunition,” Mhlongo said.

DURBAN METRO POLICE OFFICER’S MURDER BEING PROBED

SAPS in KZN subsequently launched an investigation into the Metro police officer’s murder and it wasn’t long before Khuboni was arrested for the shooting.

“A case of murder and robbery was reported at Umlazi police station. Police members received information about the suspect who was involved in the shooting. A joint operation was conducted and Khuboni was arrested at K section in Umlazi,” Mhlongo said.

The suspect made an appearance before the Umlazi Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 14 October 2022 and the matter was remanded in custody. The case was postponed to 30 November 2022.

The incident occurred just days before two police officers responding to a crime scene were disarmed and shot dead in Boksburg, Gauteng. SAPS in the province says the officers were waiting for a mortuary van at the crime scene when they were ambushed.

National police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, condemned the incident and said communities needed to work together to stop police murders.

“While we review our police safety strategy and plan, as management, we are calling for greater cooperation with our citizens to put an end to such incidents collectively. We believe that such incidents can be prevented,” Masemola said.