Two suspects, Sbongumusa Mathebula and Meshack Mathebula, both aged 31 remain in custody following their brief appearance at the Mkhuhlu Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Friday 22 December 2023.
The suspects were arrested during Operation Shanela conducted in Calcutta on Tuesday, 19 December 2023. Their arrest follows an incident whereby a 58-year-old victim was reportedly shot and killed. His lifeless body which had bullet wounds was found dumped behind his house on Monday, 18 December 2023.
During the court appearance of the suspects, the case was postponed to Thursday, 28 December 2023 for bail application.
Operation Shanela is being carried out throughout the province of Mpumalanga wherein about 39 suspects were nabbed for various offences. 18 suspects were arrested for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and three were arrested for rape whilst two were apprehended on charges of malicious damage to property.
Amongst the arrested suspects, two were charges for armed robbery and one for house breaking meanwhile another suspect was locked up for child neglect. The members also arrested one suspect for Contravention of Protection Order whilst some were nabbed on charges of assault common and others for Contravention of Immigration Act of South Africa.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has commended members who dedicated their time to ensure safety of all in Mpumalanga.