A murder suspect has been re-arrested by the Police on Friday, 03 May 2024 after disappearing subsequent to his release on bail in March last year (2023).
The Police in Middelburg were faced with a task of manhunt for Nqubeko Bright Mchunu who was (41) when he disappeared shortly after being released on bail for the murder of Mr Tsepo Maseko (33) who was sadly killed on 17 August 2022 around 17:30.
Mchunu, the suspect, was circulated as per issued warrant of arrest against him. This came after the man failed to attend court on several occasions. The murder took place during a protest incident at the Steve Tshwete Municipality in Middelburg which lasted for about three months. Mr Maseko was unfortunately shot and killed during that protest.
According to information, Mchunu was employed as a security guard at the time. It is alleged that the protesters started damaging properties, and that’s when the shooting incident occurred.
During that time, it was unknown who was responsible for the shooting, but police conducted an intensive investigation, which led to the arrest of Mchunu as a suspect.
His first appearance at the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court was on 19 August 2022. He was then granted bail of R10 000 in September 2022. The proceedings continued in court until 09 March 2023, but thereafter, Mchunu never returned to court. The matter was postponed to 11 April 2023, where a warrant for his arrest was issued. He was sought by the Police but without any success.
Police therefore requested anyone who might have information about Mchunu’s whereabouts to contact the Investigation Officer, Sergeant Sizwe Malinga on 079 286 8550 or call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111.
Information was received, and Police did as they promised by treating information as confidential, and that was when Nqubeko Bright Mchunu, who is now (43), was arrested on Friday, 03 May 2024 in Soweto, in the Gauteng Province. Mchunu is expected to appear at the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 06 May 2023.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has commended members for re-arresting the suspect who was sought. “We are thankful to all stakeholders, including members of the public who assist with information and not forgetting the media for continually playing a pivotal role in sharing valuable information with the public. Together we continue to move forward in the fight against crime, “said the General.
