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The slain traffic officer’s hijacked Polo was found hidden behind an RDP house near Bushbuckridge. PHOTO: SAPS

Woman, 66 and three brothers linked to MURDER of traffic officer

The off-duty traffic officer was shot and dragged out of his car, which was found hidden behind an RDP house three days later.

officer

The slain traffic officer’s hijacked Polo was found hidden behind an RDP house near Bushbuckridge. PHOTO: SAPS

An older woman, 66, and three brothers are charged with the hijacking and possible murder of an off-duty traffic officer.

Thabo Mashego, 35, died when he was gunned down by men who accosted him while he was driving with his friends in Mpumalanga last month.

ALSO READ: Off-duty traffic officer GUNNED down while driving with friends

TRAFFIC OFFICER’S STOLEN CAR FOUND BEHIND RDP HOUSE

The off-duty officer was shot and dragged out of his VW Polo on the evening of Friday, 22 July.  The suspects then drove away with his vehicle, leaving Mashego behind with his friends.

The Nelspruit-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team received information the following Monday of the hijacked car. It is said to have been parked behind an RDP house at Enginecourt in the Bushbuckridge area, said Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi.

“They proceeded to the mentioned address and found the VW Polo parked behind the RDP house. The owner of the house, Yekelina Ubisi, 66, a foreign national, was then arrested.”

Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi

Upon further investigation, three brothers, Remember Ngovene, 35, Jabulane Ngovene, 46 and Venus Advice Ngovene, 35, were also arrested.

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The off-duty traffic officer, Thabo Mashego, was declared dead upon arriving in hospital. PHOTO: SAPS

FOUR ACCUSED FACE COURT

The four accused appeared before the Calcutta Magistrate’s Court two days later. Ubisi, the 66-year-old woman, was released on R500 bail. The three Ngovene brothers remained in custody until their next court appearance, which took place on Wednesday.

“The case is postponed to 10 August for further bail application. The three Ngovene brothers are remanded in custody,” said Sekgotodi.

ALSO READ: Man locks wife and kids in shack then sets it alight

OFF-DUTY OFFICER BRUTALLY KILLED

The officer was driving his VW Polo hatchback which two of his friends. At around 21:00, they were suddenly accosted by two armed men who came out of nowhere alongside the road. This happened at Saselani Trust near Bushbuckridge, said police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala.

“The suspects then ordered the traffic officer to stop. But when he did not, they fired shots at the vehicle, injuring him,” said Mohlala.

Mashego subsequently stopped his car. The suspects then surrounded the car and dragged out the traffic officer and his friends before driving away with the Polo.

The traffic officer was assisted by motorists along the road and took him to hospital. But he, unfortunately, died upon arrival.

ALSO READ: Mpumalanga Community safety MEC ‘shocked’ by traffic officer’s killing