Caption: The state vehicles reportedly used during the alleged house robbery
By Kopano Dibakwane
Four police officers from Limpopo, identified as Macdonald Ledwaba(34), Daniel Malesela Huma(34), Sarafina Senama(35), Lucky Lesiba Shogole(41), appeared before the Mashishing Magistrate’s Court on Monday 12 October 2025, alongside a civilian identified as, Johannes Komane(29).
The five suspects were arrested on Friday 10 October 2025 in connection with an alleged house robbery that took place in the area in Mashishing on 9 October 2025.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, said the victims, who are reportedly Ethiopian nationals, were asleep when they were attacked by a group of armed suspects.
The suspects were reportedly using three vehicles including a grey double-cab Toyota bakkie with Limpopo registration number plates, a private vehicle, (registration number unknown), a marked SAPS(South African Police Service) VW Golf GTI confirmed to belong to the Polokwane Flying Squad.
According to Brigadier Mdhluli, the private vehicle (Suzuki/Avanza) reportedly fled the scene carrying multiple boxes of suspected illicit cigarettes and an undisclosed amount of cash.
“ Further investigation at the scene led to the seizure of boxes of illicit cigarettes with an estimated street value of about R1.5 million, and R950,000 in cash found at the scene. Police also discovered that the registration plates on the seized vehicles had been tampered with using black sellotape, presumably to conceal their identities.
“ There were also ammunition seized at the seized.
Two of the arrested police officers were found in possession of their official service firearms, which have since been confiscated,” said Brigadier Mdhluli.
The Acting Provincial Police Commissioner in Mpumalanga, Major-General(Dr)Zeph Mkhwanazi, and the Mpumalanga MEC for DCSS(Community Safety, Security and Liaison), Jackie Macie, have both condemned the alleged criminal act which involves the police, calling for the suspects to face the full wrath of the law if found guilty.
“ No one is above the law. We will not tolerate any form of criminality within our ranks. The swift arrest of these individuals demonstrates our zero-tolerance approach to corruption and criminal behaviour,” said Major-General Mkhwanazi.
“The allegations brought against are damning and serious. We do not have a place in policing for criminals. We want honest and diligent members who will always remain loyal to their call by protecting communities and arresting crime suspects,” said MEC Macie.
The five suspects remain in custody and their case was postponed to Friday 17 October 2025 for a formal bail application. Brigadier Mdhluli said the DPCI(Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation) Unit will carry on with the investigation, and did not rule out the possibility of more charges being added.
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