GAUTENG: Three more suspects aged between 20 and 35 were arrested yesterday, 17 May 2025 in Dobsonville, Soweto for allegedly being involved in the murder of a JMPD member in Vlakfontein on the 15 May 2025.
National Hawks Spokesperson Col Tebogo Lesego said that
the trio were traced by the multi-disciplinary team led by the Vaal Rand and Pretoria based Serious Organised Crime Investigation team of the Hawks, the National Priority Violent Crime Investigation of the Hawks, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police, Provincial Crime Intelligence and the Gauteng Provincial Tracking Team.
Information led the team to a residence in Dobsonville where the vehicle allegedly used by the suspects the date of the murder was found. Further investigation led the law enforcement team to another residence where two firearms, one with serial number files off and the second belonging to the slain officer.
The initial two suspects aged 25 and 27 were arrested by the Vaal Rand based Serious Organised Crime Investigation on the 15 May 2025 wherein information received narrates that on Wednesday, 14 May 2015, the members of Lenasia South SAPS responded to a shooting incident that occurred at Winchester Street, Extention 1 Vlaakfontein where it was discovered that the victim was JMPD officer who had allegedly been shot dead by an unknown assailant.
The information related to law enforcement was that JMPD members were attending an attempted robbery complaint before the said shooting occurred, where a description of white VW Polo with NW registration number involved.
The vehicle was spotted and the crew of the JMPD approached the vehicle tactical but was met with fire. The suspect made off with the officer’s official firearm. The paramedics declared him dead on the scene.
The incident was reported to the Vaal Rand Serious Organised Crime Investigation for further probe on Thursday, 15 May 2025 who immediately started scouring for leads.
All five suspects will appear in the Lenasia Magistrates court tomorrow, 19 May 2025 on charges of murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition as well as defeating the ends of justice.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa applauded the relentless efforts of the multi-disciplinary team in ensuring those who are attacking law enforcement agents are brought to book.