Six suspects have been apprehended across the province following the recent murders of two police officers at Mabopane and De Deur respectively.
On Sunday, 6 November 2022, just before midnight, an off-duty Sergeant Tumelo Patrick Losaba (41), attached to the rapid rail police unit at Rietgat was tragically shot and killed after three armed suspects confronted him and a female passenger. The victims had just arrived at Losaba’s residence in block X, Mabopane.
The suspects demanded the keys to the Toyota Rav 4 and couldn’t find them as the Sergeant had already tossed them in the yard. The victims were ordered to enter the house at gunpoint and other family members including kids were also threatened and bundled into the bathroom.
The suspects demanded money, cellphones and bank cards whilst the other one removed a plasma television from the wall. When the chaos seemed to have been over, the Sergeant quickly got into his room and emerged with his service pistol.
As he approached the kitchen door he noticed one of the suspects still in the house. Gunfire was exchanged and the suspect, now known as Chris Mazeti, was fatally wounded.
The officer exited the house and was ambushed and fatally wounded by another suspect who was hiding in the yard. The suspects sped off and fled the scene using a grey/silver Audi A4.
All role players that included the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime investigation team, Crime Intelligence Gathering and Rapid Rail Police Unit were activated.
On Wednesday, 9 November 2022, in the crack of dawn a manhunt was launched which resulted in four suspects being arrested around Winterfeld and Mabopane areas. Bongani Mabena, Alias “Rara” (26), Joseph Makhubele alias “Mjozi” (29), were the first to be arrested and they led the team to Paul Muchesa (32 where a firearm suspected to have been used as a murder weapon was seized. Further questioning led to the arrest of Alpheus Ggwamanda (31), found in possession of the stolen television at his electronics shop.
The group which comprises three Zimbabwean nationals has appeared in Garankuwa and Soshanguve Magistrate’s courts respectively facing charges of murder, house robbery, possessions of stolen property and an unlicensed firearm. The court has postponed the case. The matter was postponed to Thursday, 17 November 2022. More arrests are imminent as investigation continues.
Meanwhile, in another case, South of Gauteng at Sedibeng District near De Deur. On Tuesday, 8 November 2022. Two police officers who were reportedly attending to a complaint of suspected drug dealers at Weilersfarms were met with fire when they approached the given address.
It is recounted that the officers were approached by one suspect who indiscriminately fired shots at them leading to the death of Sergeant Vuyani Vivian Ngcobo (48), attached to the Sedibeng District Vispol. Constable Gift Mncedi Nteso (30), survived the ordeal unscathed whilst the suspect managed to get away on foot.
The Vaal Rand Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime investigation mobilised resources. The collaborative team which comprised of Crime Intelligence Gathering, Tactical Response Team, Highway Patrol, Sedibeng Infrastructure Task Team and Midvaal Peace Officers piloted an operation culminated in the arrest of three suspects on Thursday, 10 November 2022, at Kanana Park.
A defiled pistol was seized from one of the arrested suspects who was shot and wounded upon his arrest. Two of the suspects are aged 21 whilst the other is 31. They are expected to appear in the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 14 November 2022.
The Gauteng Provincial Head of the Hawks Major General Ebrahim Kadwa has applauded the team for their relentless efforts in ensuring that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to book. To our beloved fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price and to their families. “We will soldier on and ensure that justice is served.” He said.
