A 41-year-old suspect is due to appear in the Sterkspruit magistrate’s court on Tuesday in connection with the brutal murder of an off-duty Eastern Cape police officer at the weekend.
The suspect was arrested on Sunday by a multi-disciplinary team that included the Komani Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, Maletswai Crime Intelligence, the Maletswai K9 Unit and Palmietfontein detectives.
He faces a murder charge.
Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said police were called to Thabalesoba, Sterkspruit, in the early hours of Saturday after reports of a person lying motionless on the roadside.
“Upon arrival, officers found the body of a man, later identified as off-duty Sgt Kholisile Lesley Masumi, a serving SAPS member,” Mhlakuvana said. “He had sustained stab wounds and blunt force trauma, pointing to a violent and deliberate attack.”
A manhunt led to an intelligence-driven operation on Sunday.
“The suspect allegedly had a violent confrontation with Sgt Masumi,” Mhlakuvana said. “Bystanders [allegedly] tried to defuse the altercation but were unsuccessful due to the suspect’s aggression.”
Daily Dispatch