NELSPRUIT – The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, has applauded police who made a major breakthrough by arresting two suspects aged 32 and 37, on allegations of murder where two women were killed in separate incidents at Barberton in 2019.
According to reports, in the first incident, 28-year-old Khulile Mahumane was shot and killed by one of the suspects on the evening of 15 May 2019, while visiting her. He then dumped her body at the local cemetery which was later discovered by a passers-by. Police were notified about the incident at the time, a case of murder was opened and a manhunt was launched. It was discovered that the suspect had reportedly fled the country.
Police continued working on this case and managed to crack it after receiving information from members of the public that the suspect had returned. They then followed up on it and pounced on him (suspect) unexpectedly at his residence in Barberton, yesterday, Wednesday, 15 April 2020 and he is expected to appear in Court tomorrow, 17 April 2020.
Meanwhile, in the second incident, 37-year-old Sydney Nhlanhla Machete appeared at the Barberton Magistrate Court on Tuesday, 14 April 2020, for the murder of 33 year old Nomsa Nkosi.
Nkosi was allegedly murdered by Machete who was her close friend, on 02 October 2019, at her house in Barberton. He then absconded after committing the murder and fled. Police as well as the Paramedics were notified about the incident and they responded to the call where the woman was certified dead at the scene.
A murder case was also opened and police immediately commenced with their investigation. They received information from members of the public that Machete was around Barberton and swifly apprehended him on Friday, 10 April 2020, hence his appearance. His case was postponed to 07 May 2020 for bail application.
Extensive investigations into the case also led to the recovery of a firearm believed to have been used in the shooting and killing of Nkosi.
General Zuma has welcomed the arrest of the two men and thanked members of the public who provided police with information. The General has also applauded the team of police detectives for acting on the information provided as well as for their relentless efforts in solving Gender-Based-Violence cases.
