farm murder attack

Photo:Stock/Canva

Police killer suspects arrested, firearms, explosives seized

The suspects are facing a charge of murder after a policeman was killed in a shootout with a gang that also left another officer wounded.

farm murder attack

Photo:Stock/Canva

Police swooped on two suspects aged 23 and 26 who are expected to appear in the Rustenburg and Pretoria Magistrates Court on Friday to face charges of murder, possession of unlicensed firearms, ammunition, and explosives.

Hawks spokesperson, Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu, said a multi-disciplinary approach driven operation conducted by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Flying Squad, K9, TRT assisted by CAP Security, Brinant and Fidelity Specialised Services had led to the arrest of the suspects in Silverton and Tlhabane on Wednesday.

“The investigation team followed up on intelligence received on wanted suspects on a police murder case, driving towards North West,” Mulamu said.

“The suspects’ vehicle was intercepted on the N4 highway and upon searching it, police recovered an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.”

Mulamu said officers arrested the suspect and seized the vehicle for further investigation. 

“Further investigation led the police to Tlhabane in the North West province where another suspect was apprehended in possession of unlicensed pistols, a rifle with ammunition as well as explosives,” Mulamu said.

Mulamu said one of the pistols seized during the operation had allegedly been positively identified and linked to a police murder that had occurred in Boschkop in May 2021.

“It was reported that on-duty police officials attached to Boschkop SAPS intercepted a positively identified stolen vehicle in the area. Upon approaching the suspects’ vehicle shots were fired towards the police’s direction,” Mulamu said.

Police officer, Constable Atlehang Nkgoeng, 29, was killed in the shoot-out, which left his colleague wounded. The suspects allegedly fled with two police pistols in a vehicle that had reportedly been hijacked in Vosman in Witbank, Mpumalanga.

Hawks Provincial Head in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa applauded the investigation team’s effort and all the role players involved in successfully apprehending the suspects. 

“A murder of a police official is one too many for the South African Police. And it goes without saying that our team of dedicated investigators worked tirelessly to crack this case. We are proud that our late colleague’s family will find closure in court for his alleged murder,” Kadwa said.