SAPS Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni commends members on the arrest of three suspects for the murders of Rand Water executive Teboho Joala and his bodyguard.
An intelligence driven operation led to the apprehension of the three suspects. Teboho Joala and his bodyguard were murdered in front of pupils at a community hall in Zakariyya Park, south of Johannesburg during a back-to-school event on 29 January 2024.
Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Investigation (SVCI) Murder and Robbery team has been following up on various leads in this double murder case.
The team, inclusive of the Provincial Crime Detection Tracking Team and Tactical Response Team (TRT) traced the first suspect and arrested him on 18 April 2024 while on his way from KwaZulu-Natal to Gauteng. Upon questioning him, further information was received about two other suspects who were hiding in KZN. The team travelled to KZN in pursuit of the suspects and managed to arrest two men who are linked to murder. Of the three suspects arrested, two had warrants of arrests issued against them on the same case. The third suspect was arrested without a warrant of arrest in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act.
The trio will appear before the Protea Magistrates Court on 22 April 2024.
Another suspect liked to this case was arrested on 13 March 2024 for possession of a firearm that is suspected to be the one used during the commission of the murder. The 27-year-old accused, Ayanda Ngwenya remains in custody and his case has been remanded to 16 May 2024.
“The dedication, thoroughness and bravery displayed by members of the Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Investigation (SVCI) Murder and Robbery team, Provincial Crime Detection Tracking Team and Tactical Response Team (TRT) will restore our communities’ faith in the South African Police Service. Community members, especially victims of crime should rest assured that our members will continue to stamp the authority of the State in bringing perpetrators to justice,” said Lt Gen Mthombeni.