The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) has arrested 15 police officers for the alleged murder of Mr Nhlanhla Lala Luthuli (40 years) of Mpumalanga, Harmmasdale, KwaZulu-Natal.
The allegation is that on 29 October 2010, around 02h00 am, 15 police officers from Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU) Pinetown and Tactical Response Team (TRT) Inanda went to the deceased’s home to search for a firearm belonging to one members of the CIU, who had recently had a robbery at his house.
It is alleged that the 15 police officers assaulted the deceased in front of his 11 year old son and his girlfriend until he became unconscious. Once he was unconscious, the suspects tried to resuscitate the deceased by pouring water on him but they failed. They then took the deceased in a police vehicle and dumped him alongside a road where he was found still unconscious. He died on the way to hospital.
The suspect officers from Crime Intelligence in Pinetown are Captain Thulani Magagula (49), Constable Emmanuel Vezi (33), Constable Patrick Mzobe (35) and Constable Phumlani Mkhize (29).
The suspect officers from Tactical Response Team in Inanda are: Constable SM Mthethwa (23), Constable TB Ngcobo (24), Constable SB Khomo (29), Constable LM Ngema (24), Constable AC Ngcobo (25), Constable SW Ndosi (38), Constable AL Ndlovu (29), Constable LN Mseleku (33), Constable M Duma (33), Constable AD Gumede (33) and Constable L Mseleku (24).
The ICD conducted an investigation and the suspects were arrested and charged on 19 November 2010. They appeared at the Harmmasdale Magistrates Court. The suspects were granted bail of R5 000 each. The case was postponed to 14 January 2011.
Enquiries:
Moses Dlamini
082 809 1927
15 South African Police Service (SAPS) officers arrested for murder: Harmmasdale
