KWAZULU-NATAL – Hawks members from Durban Serious Organised Crime Investigation have arrested a 29-year-old male for the murder of an off-duty police officer which happened at Illovo area on 23 August 2020.
It is alleged that Constable Nhlanhla Mthethwa (38) who was stationed at Umbumbulu police station was found dead in the sugar cane plantation by the patrolling security guard. He had a gunshot wound in his forehead. His private motor vehicle, service pistol with live rounds of ammunition and cash had been stolen. A case of murder was reported at Amanzimtoti police station and the case was allocated to Hawks members for intensive investigation.
On Thursday, 01 October 2020 an operation was conducted in Phoenix and the suspect was arrested. He is due to appear in the Umbumbulu Magistrate Court today.
In a separate incident, two suspects aged 17 and 26 are expected to appear in the Empangeni Magistrates’ Court for the attempted murder of police officials and business robbery which happened at Nhlanzini area in Kwambonambi. It is reported that on Friday, 02 October 2020 a local shop was robbed by the suspects and police were alerted. Upon their arrival at the scene, shots were fired towards them and two members were wounded. They were taken to the hospital for medical attention.
Hawks members from Richards Bay Serious Organised Crime unit and Kwambonambi Detectives worked tirelessly since the day of the incident. Their hard work yielded positive results when the two were brought to book on Saturday.