The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo Province, Major General (Adv) Gopz Govender commended the Limpopo Hawks members for their successful arrest of two suspects aged 32 and 39, including a police Constable and the recovery of the state firearm that reported stolen from the deceased police sergeant during the murder.
On 19 February 2025, the Limpopo Hawks received an information about the suspects who were in possession of the stolen firearm and ammunition that belonged to a deceased police Sergeant.
A sting operation was conducted between the Polokwane based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Crime Against the State and Limpopo Provincial Crime Scene Management Unit.
The information led the operational team to Seshego Zone 5, where the first suspect, who is allegedly related to the deceased Sergeant was found and arrested.
During an interview with the suspect, it was revealed that the a police Constable attached to Westernburg police station was involved in this matter. The Constable was subsequently located and arrested.
During questioning, the Constable allegedly led the police to recover Z88 – 9mm pistol, 32 rounds, magazines, and two cartridges which were wrapped in black plastic and hidden underneath the corrugated iron sheets at the back of the house. The firearm was positively identified by the serial number as the one reported stolen at Staanplaas, where the police Sergeant was murdered.
The suspects are scheduled to appear in the Seshego Magistrate’s Court on 21 February 2025 to face charges of defeating the ends of justice, possession of suspected stolen firearm and ammunition.
Sergeant Modiba (37) attached to Polokwane Provincial Flying Squad Unit was shot on 5 February 2025 at Staanplaas in Lebowakgomo policing area under Capricorn District. The unknown suspect stole the victim’s service pistol, laptops and cellphones from the house and fled the scene in a white bakkie that was waiting outside the yard.
The Sergeant was transported to a medical facility, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries upon arrival.
The case docket of murder was opened at Lebowakgomo police station and transferred to the Polokwane based Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation for further handling.
The Hawks investigation is still ongoing.
Major General Gopz Govender expressed his disappointment at the involvement of the police member in the criminal activities. “It is very disappointing to see the members of the police being involved in this case where their fellow colleagues were murdered. But at the same time, I’m relieved because this shows that as the Hawks we investigate without “Fear, Favour or Prejudice “, concluded Major General Gopz Govender.
