On Sunday, 31 January 2021, Bhekuyise Mazibuko (56) was reported missing by his family at Hlobane SAPS after he failed to arrive at his home. His phones were off and he went missing with his vehicle. A missing person docket was then registered at Hlobane SAPS.
Later on the same day, Mazibuko’s vehicle was found at Caroline in the Mpumalanga Province. Two men aged 27 and 28 were taken in for questioning by Caroline SAPS after a vehicle and cellphones were recovered from them. Hlobane SAPS was immediately contacted and it was established that the vehicle belonged to the missing person.
On 1 February 2021, a Multi-district Task Team proceeded to Mpumalanga province where they worked around the clock to connect the dots in the case. Through intensive investigation, one of the suspects pointed where he had hidden the firearm with seven rounds of ammunition. The firearm was found hidden under a rock near an abandoned house. He was charged for illegal possession of a firearm and seven rounds of ammunition. Charges of illegal possession of a firearm, ammunition and possession of a stolen property was opened at Caroline SAPS.
Through the intensive investigation conducted by the team, it was established that the recovered vehicle belonged to Mazibuko who was reported missing at Hlobane.
It is alleged that on the afternoon of 30 January 2021, Mazibuko offered lift to two men who were hitchhiking in the area. The men asked to be dropped off near one of the shops on the same afternoon. The men robbed the victim of his vehicle and also shot him on the left side of the chest. His body was found on the night of 1 February 2021, by the team, dumped in the bushes at Leenek area near an old mine. The deceased’s cell phone that was taken, was recovered from the suspects.
The preliminary investigation that was conducted by the team regarding the firearm, established that the firearm was taken during a carjacking at Paulpietersburg. It is alleged that on 29 January 2021 at 14:00, a motorist was driving in the Paulpietersburg area when he offered two men who were hitchhiking a lift. The men allegedly robbed him of his vehicle, firearm, cell phone and cash. The suspects abandoned the vehicle on the same day after it had a mechanical failure.
Charges of murder, robbery, defeating the ends of justice, possession of stolen property, possession of illegal firearm and ammunition are investigated by Vryheid SAPS. The suspects appeared before the Caroline Magistrates’ Court. The docket was transferred to Vryheid SAPS.
Both suspects were out on parole for a case of rape, assault and house robbery. One of the suspects was wanted for a case of rape opened at Hlobane in April 2019. They will appear again before the Vryheid Magistrates Court on 3 February 2021.
