The Provincial Organised Crime officers have on Sunday, 26 November 2023, arrested a 61-year-old man for incitement to commit murder and conspiracy to kill the District Commissioner of Umzinyathi, Major General Francis Slambert.
The fearless Major General Slambert, who took the reins in the Umzinyathi District a year ago, survived at least two assassination attempts on her life between May and August 2023. As a new broom which was sweeping clean, Major General Slambert’s operations seemed to have destabilized the suspect’s clandestine operations. The man, who is believed to be a feared drug lord in the area, allegedly sourced the services of two hitmen to end her life.
The matter was reported to the police and the Provincial Organised Crime Unit was tasked with the investigations. With the police able to present a strong case to the court, the suspect’s warrant of arrest was granted by the Newcastle Regional Court, leading to the suspect’s arrest at his home in Dundee. During the arrest, police also seized the suspect’s licenced .270 hunting rifle for further investigations. He was also found in possession of police and court’s date stamps.
His arrest coincides with the country’s commemoration of 16 Days of no Violence against Women and Children. Police in KwaZulu-Natal prioritize the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide and anyone who perpetrate violence against women and children, including women in the employ of the South African Police Service, shall be met with the maximum wrath of the law.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Newcastle Regional Court on Monday, 27 November 2023.
