Four of the five suspects, a former police official Mthobisi Nkosi (40), Aubrey Xaba (35), Skhumbuzo Skhakhane (40) and Nyiko Mujovo (30) abandoned their bail application in Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on 18 February 2025.
The four suspects appeared alongside Valencia Skhosana (36), who proceeded with her bail application.
The five suspects, Nkosi, Xaba, Skhakhane, Mujovo, and Skhosana, were arrested by the Hawks Secunda based Serious Organised Crime Investigation in the early hours of 17 January 2025. They were linked with the gruesome murder of the Commander of Ermelo Vehicle Investigation Unit, Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius in Ermelo on 16 January 2025.
The suspects were arrested in less than 12 hours after they allegedly conspired to commit murder, murder possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, as well as defeating the ends of justice
The suspects appeared in the same court on 20 and 27 January 2025.
They were remanded in custody for a formal bail application scheduled for 18 February 2025.
Four of the suspects, Nkosi, Xaba, Skhakhane, and Mujovo, decided to abandon their bail application, and they were remanded in custody with the next court date scheduled for 10 April 2025.
Skhosana proceeded with her bail application. She was also remanded in custody, and her bail application is scheduled to proceed on 27 February 2025.
The Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber, said the postponement will allow the investigation team to obtain further evidence and bring the matter to a speedy trial. He reaffirmed the team’s commitment and resolve to present a watertight case before court. He applauded all stakeholders involved for the way in which the matter has been dealt with thus far.
