The Hawks Nelspruit based Serious Organised Crime Investigation led joint operation resulted in the arrest of a 25 year old suspect linked to the murder of a police officer in Lillydale, Culcatta last Friday, 30 May 2025.
According to the Mpumalanga Hawks Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Màgonseni Nkosi the police official was gunned down during a business robbery in the local salon where money and cellphones were robbed under gunpoint.
A 29 year old Constable Khulani Chabangu that was stationed at Volkrust SAPS was robbed of his clothes and vehicle before he was fatally shot on his upper body.
Nelspruit based Serious Organised Crime Investigation was tasked to investigate and bring the perpetrators before court. It was a busy week for the team that comprised of the Hawks, National Crime Intelligence, and Calcutta Task Team.
Information was received that linked the suspects. The team managed to corner a 25 year old suspect in one of the streets in Culcatta on Friday, 06 June 2025, at about 16:30. He was found in possession of two cellphones. It is alleged that one of the cellphones was robbed during the robbery and murder of the police official.
Further investigation was conducted that led the team to the suspect’s friend’s house. On seeing the police, the suspect’s friend who managed to evade arrest and vanished within the residential area. A search was conducted in the house whereby a handgun with serial numbers filled out and four live ammunition rounds were found.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Nico Gerber commended the team for the major breakthrough. “Our members will not rest until all those behind the murder of our fallen hero are brought to book. We strongly believe that justice will be served for the family, community, and the South African Police Service,” concluded the General.
He is expected to appear before court on Monday 9 June 2025.