The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Khehla Sitole has welcomed the arrest of seven suspects linked to the murder of an official from the Department of Health on 23 August 2021.
SAPS Gauteng Serious and Violent Crimes Unit in collaboration with SAPS Johannesburg K9, Johannesburg East Crime Intelligence, Fidelity’s Specialised Services and Community Active Protection operationalised information received and conducted a takedown operation at the suspects’ hideouts in Johannesburg.
During the arrests, the police recovered two firearms and two vehicles.
On 23 August 2021, a 53-year-old Department of Health’s Chief Director was gunned down by unknown suspects in Winchester Hills as she was returning from dropping off her child at school. She was taken to hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries.
A case of murder was registered by Mondeor Police Station and transferred to Provincial Head Office for investigation by the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit. The team of experienced investigators caught a break in the case when they received information that led to the arrest of the suspects from Crime Intelligence.
The case docket has been transferred to the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation for further investigation. There is a possibility of more charges being added to the charge of murder when the suspects appear in court soon.
The National Commissioner has commended the investigating team’s breakthrough in the case. “I am confident that the Hawks will work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served,” said General Sitole.
