Times Of Swaziland: BREAKTHROUGH IN COP KILLING AT BUY CASH

BREAKTHROUGH IN COP KILLING AT BUY CASH
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Sithembile Hlatshwayo on 24/08/2023 18:05:00


MBABANE – There has been a major breakthrough made by South African police in
arresting a suspect linked to the murder of a police officer in the country,
Constable Bongani Maphalala.
The suspect was arrested yesterday by the Durban Metro Police, according to the
eThekwini Municipality News. His name will not be published as he has not been
officially charged. It was stated that the suspect was wanted in the kingdom for
a number of armed robbery cases and the murder of the police officer in 2021.
The investigations are still ongoing. Chief Police Information and
Communications Officer, Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, confirmed the matter.
Communiqué
Vilakati said they had received a communiqué pertaining to the arrest of the
suspect from the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Durban. Maphalala was
shot dead after five men staged a robbery at Siphofaneni Buy Cash in 2021, where
an amount of E200 000 was stolen. He was accompanying a vehicle that had come to
collect the money from the hardware store.
It was established that collections of the money had been done from two other
Buy Cash Hardware shops situated at Sithobelweni and St Phillip’s. According
to reports, the five armed robbers were on board a getaway white Toyota sedan,
which had its registration plates removed. The robbers were said to have entered
the hardware store and disarmed the deceased police officer of his R4 rifle,
which had 20 live rounds of ammunition and shot him. They then forcefully
grabbed the money that was being counted and fled the scene of crime. In another
matter, the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) is seeking the public’s
assistance in locating three men to help the cops with information in connection
with a string of armed robberies.
Robberies
The armed robberies were committed across the country. The three are; Innocent
‘Inno’ Ndlangamandla from Nhlangano, Hugo Mamba from Sithobelweni and Phinda
Ndlovu. Anyone who may have information on their whereabouts can contact Hhohho
RCBO Assistant Superintendent Jabulani Madlopha on 7606 8493 or Lukhozi Serious
Crimes Unit Assistant Superintendent Derrick Makhanya on 7608 9712. They can
also contact Mbabane Desk Officer Assistant Inspector Akhona Dludlu on 7626
0105, Investigating Officer Constable M. Fakudze on 7625 1206 or alternatively
dial 999/9999 or 112. The police are also seeking help in locating Sandile
Themba Khumalo (60) of Mazombizwe, to assist the cops with information in
connection with several cases of theft by false pretences. Anyone who has
information about his whereabouts can contact Manzini RCBO Superintendent Thabo
Hlophe on 7606 8570 or the Malkerns Police Desk Officer, Assistant Inspector
Gamedze on 7623 2716.