MBOMBELA – Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Embalenhle have apprehended three sought suspects, aged 22 to 32, believed to have been part of a gang of five members who had allegedly kidnapped and gruesomely murdered 39-year-old Thulani Kubheka of Embalenhle near Secunda.

Two suspects, Blessing Malatjie (29) and Sydwell Sibiya (31), were initially arrested and have already appeared in the Evander Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, December 12, following the discovery of the victim’s body. The body of Kubheka, who was reported as missing December 1, 2018, was discovered in a ditch at Emzinoni, near Bethal.

Initially investigating a missing person’s case, police made a breakthrough when information linking Malatjie and Sibiya to the murder came to their exposal.  A 72-hour activation plan was activated and Crime Intelligence, Detectives, informers and other role players combined forces to ensure the suspects’ arrests. Malatjie and Sibiya were arrested following the recovery of the victim’s vehicle, a Ford Figo, which had apparently been stolen by the suspects.

The duo will appear at the same magistrate’s court on Tuesday, December 18, on charges of theft, murder and kidnapping, whilst Malatjie and Sibiya, who were remanded in custody pending bail application, will reappear on Wednesday, December 19.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lt Gen Mondli Zuma, commended the police’s swift response. He condemned the suspects’ gruesome actions in the strongest possible terms.Zuma promised the community of Mpumalanga that the men and women in blue will work tirelessly to eradicate criminals activities, ensuring the safety of everyone in the province.

“Members of the community need to play an active role in ensuring that criminals are removed from society - not only by sharing  information with the police, but also by coming forward to give statements that might assist in the finalisation of cases,” Zuma concluded.

Submitted by: Brig Leonard Hlati
Subeditor: Lynette Brink
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