PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER HAILS THE ARREST OF 5TH SUSPECT IN CONNECTION WITH THE 2019 MURDERS OF MOGALAKWENA MUNICIPALITY COUNCILLORS
POLOKWANE: The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has greatly welcomed the arrest of the fifth suspect yesterday, Wednesday 18 January 2023, in connection with the murders of the Mogalakwena Municipality Councillors Valtyn Kekana and Ralph Kanyane.
On Tuesday 23 July 2019 the victims, Valtyn Kekana 54 and Ralph Kanyane 32, were reportedly sitting in a motor vehicle when they were gunned down by the suspect who fled the scene soon after the incident.
The team that was assembled to probe these murders conducted intense investigations that initially led to the arrest of four suspects in May 2022.
The accused, Samuel Seruputlane, 50, Jabulane Petros Mashamaite, 43, James Mswezi Chuma, 42 and Nkholo Frans Mangadi, 49, have already appeared in court on several occasions. They are scheduled to stand trial in the Limpopo Division of the High Court in Polokwane from the 27th of February 2023, facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of murder and possession of illegal firearm.
The fifth suspect, aged 28, has been on the run until the team managed to apprehend him in Lebowakgomo this morning, following a well coordinated investigation. He is expected to appear in Mokopane magistrate court today on Thursday 19 January 2023 facing a charge of two counts of murder.
“This latest arrest, is highly commendable and it should send a strong message that the Police will always be determined and unrelenting when pursuing criminals and bringing them to book,” said Lieutenant General Hadebe.
