FOUR SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE POLICE MURDER (HAWKS OFFICER)
GAUTENG – The East Rand Serious Organised Crime Investigation team of the Hawks jointly with Gauteng Traffic’s Special Law Enforcement Unit (SLEU), and Ekurhuleni Metro Police’s Saturation Task Team (STT) have arrested four (4) suspects aged between 23 and 44 in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday, 17 January 2024.
They are allegedly linked to the murder, kidnapping and carjacking of the police officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sikhetho Mawila (63) who was found murdered on an open field in Tsakane on Monday, 8 January 2024.
The family of the deceased last spoke to him on Saturday, 6 January 2024, when he was travelling to Durban, where he was returning to his work place and reported him missing.
The joint operation made by a multidisciplinary team resulted in the arrest and seizure of a cellphone, laptop belonging to the deceased, a service pistol with live ammunition, car jack, a wallet, a pair of running shoes, a suitcase, keys, a cooler box as well as a knife.
The burnt vehicle that was hijacked was also found.
The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime investigation, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya applauded the collaborative work of Law Enforcement agencies. “We appreciate the efforts and the speed within which the joint team made the arrest ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice to account for their conduct”.
The suspects are expected to make their first appearance in Tsakane Magistrate Court, on Friday, 19 January 2024, facing preliminary charges of Murder kidnapping and hijacking.
