MALAWI — The third suspect linked to the brutal Kruger National Park murders has been apprehended in Zimbabwe, marking a significant milestone in a cross-border arrest driven by seamless regional law enforcement cooperation.
Acting South African Police Service (SAPS) National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane confirmed the development, praising the joint task force that tracked down the final fugitive. The investigation previously yielded the detention of the first two individuals in Mozambique on June 1 and June 2, 2026. Authorities also successfully recovered the victims’ vehicle in Mozambique during those initial operations.
The primary fugitive, 26-year-old Mozambican citizen Macandze Lionel da Marta, initially slipped away from authorities and escaped into Zimbabwe. However, tracking efforts by the Zimbabwe Republic Police led to his capture. Da Marta is now in custody and scheduled for deportation back to Mozambique, where he will be jointly prosecuted for the killings alongside his two accomplices.
Lieutenant General Dimpane highlighted the critical synergy between SAPS, SANPARKS, the Mozambican Criminal Investigation Directorate (SERNIC), and the Zimbabwean police force. She delivered these remarks while attending the 31st SARPCCO (Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation) Chiefs of Police summit hosted in Malawi.
Emphasizing that fugitives cannot escape justice by simply crossing international boundaries, Dimpane praised the operational framework.
“This successful arrest underscores the strength of regional policing cooperation,” she stated. She explained that SADC nations utilize the SARPCCO platform to exchange intelligence, synchronize tactical operations, and provide mutual assistance, ensuring the region offers no sanctuary for offenders. She noted that the specific collaboration with SERNIC and Zimbabwean authorities proves that unified strategies are highly effective against transnational criminal networks.
Concluding her address, the Acting Commissioner issued a stark warning to illicit actors: “Our message is clear: criminals will be pursued across borders, and through collective regional efforts, will be brought before the courts to answer for their crimes.”
