On 10 November 2020 at 13:00 the owner of Palm Tree Lodge in Emanguzi, Mr Patrick Craig Pedlar (57), an ex-police officer was buying firewood from community members along Emanguzi main road. Whilst loading and paying the females for the firewood, he was accosted by two armed suspects and grabbed by the neck being pointed with handguns to his head.
As he resisted, exchange of shots occurred whereby Mr Pedlar was shot twice to his head and one suspect Mandlenkosi Siyabonga Khumalo (28) was also shot twice by Mr Pedlar. Khumalo succumbed to his wounds on the scene and Pedlar succumbed to his wounds the next day in the nearby hospital.
One suspect managed to escape with a handgun in his possession. One air handgun from the deceased suspect was recovered as well as the 9mm pistol of the deceased victim.
Vryheid based Provincial Organised Crime Investigations Unit took over the investigation in November last year. The suspect that fled was soon identified and the investigation commenced by tracing the suspect.
On Friday, 19 March 2021 an intelligent driven operation was held by Provincial Organised Crime Investigations members and Emanguzi detectives which led to the successful arrest of a 27-year-old suspect.
He was taken to Emanguzi for processing. He is expected to appear before the Emanguzi Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 23 March 2021 facing two counts of murder.
