A police officer who was kidnapped was found shot and dead in an open field near Old Heidelberg Road. PHOTO: iStock
Kidnapped cop found dead in open field – Hawks nab eight suspects
Eight to appear in court on Monday for allegedly kidnapping and killing a police officer before dumping his body in an open field.
A police officer who was kidnapped was found shot and dead in an open field near Old Heidelberg Road. PHOTO: iStock
The body of a kidnapped police sergeant was found dumped in an open field on Wednesday after the officer was shot and thrown into his own car the day before.
But a large team of law enforcement managed to trace and arrest eight suspects allegedly linked to the murder and kidnapping. The perpetrators were located in different parts of Gauteng soon after police learned of their colleague’s murder, Gauteng Hawks said.
OFFICER LAST SEEN WITH HIS SISTER
Sergeant Siyabonga Enoch Shabalala, 38, was with his sister in his car on Tuesday in Windmill Park, Johannesburg.
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The two were suddenly approached by three armed men, said Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase.
“The suspects allegedly pushed his sister out of the vehicle and shot the off-duty police officer before driving away with the injured Shabalala in his vehicle”
Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase
Shabalala’s dead body was discovered on Wednesday by a herdsman passing by, who alerted police.
Police arrived to find their colleague unresponsive in an open field in Mapleton near the R103 Old Heidelberg Road.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that he sustained a fatal gunshot would to his lower stomach,” said Nkwalase.
INVESTIGATIONS LEAD COPS STRAIGHT TO PERPETRATORS
The efforts of various law enforcement agencies managed to trace Shabalala’s car the same day his body was found. His car was found at Ulandolozo Street in Vosloorus, said Nkwalase.
The team of investigators included the provincial investigation unit (PIU), Gauteng Hawks, highway patrol, Johannesburg metro police’s K9 unit, Ekurhuleni metro police and Johannesburg’s Flying Squad.
Three suspects, Tumelo Molapo, 30, Laurence Marindze, 28, and Aubrey Shabalala, 42, were arrested.
“They were allegedly found stripping the hijacked vehicle and a firearm was also found on the premises.”
Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase
The trio appeared before the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court on charges of possession of hijacked vehicle and vehicle parts, including illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. The three will return to court on Monday, Nkwalase said.
MORE SUSPECTS FOUND LINKED TO COP’S KIDNAPPING
The investigation continued on Thursday and an additional five suspects, aged between 23 and 30, were arrested.
“The team pounced on suspects allegedly involved in the killing of the police sergeant on premises used as a hideout in Phumula, Germiston.”
Police searched the premises and found three firearms, including a Z88 pistol which belonged to the deceased Shabalala. A 9mm pistol belonging to Stallion Security was also found. The security company was allegedly robbed of a firearm in Alberton in October last year.
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“All five suspects that were arrested are expected to appear alongside the previously arrested trio in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.”
They face charges of murder, kidnapping and car-hijacking.
Shabalala was attached to the Hillbrow Community Service Centre of the police.
