By Kopano Dibakwane
Two suspects, identified as Alfred Qwabe(26) and August Khoza(35), were remanded in custody after they appeared at the Delmas/Victor Khanye Magistrate’s Court on Monday 13 May 2024, facing charges of murder, 3 counts of attempted murder, armed robbery and additional charges of attempted murder of police officers.
The suspects were arrested in connection with the murder of an off-duty police officer who was reportedly shot and killed while travelling in his private vehicle on Tuesday 7 May 2024 in Delmas, in the company of three female passengers. The slain officer was allegedly robbed of his service pistol and cash.
One of the female passengers was reportedly shot on her upper body but survived after being rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention. The two other passengers are said to have survived the incident unharmed.
The spokesperson for the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, said the Delmas police officers came under attack when they tried to corner the suspects after spotting their vehicle on the same day of the incident. The suspects reportedly abandoned their vehicle, escaped on foot and disappeared.
According to Sekgotodi, Qwabe was arrested after he claimed to be a victim of a ‘false’ car highjacking which took place in Delmas. The ‘false’ highjacking case was reportedly opened with the police at Daveyton in Gauteng province and later transferred to Delmas police station where Qwabe was arrested.
The second suspect reportedly handed himself over to the police, accompanied by his lawyer on Sunday 12 May 2024, subsequent to the arrest of his accomplice on Saturday 11 May 2024.
Qwabe and Khoza will make their second court appearance after their case was postponed to 16 May 2024 for bail application.
