KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu welcomes the arrest of a suspect in connection with the killing of a police officer in uMsinga early this year, May 2013. Constable Philasande Zwane was killed in May when the Tactical Response Team was conducting an operation targeting unlicensed firearms at uMsinga.
The team came under fire while approaching the identified homestead. Constable Zwane was shot dead during the shooting and his service pistol was stolen by his killer. A case of murder and robbery was opened at uMsinga police station for further investigation.
The suspect, Siyabonga Nkala (25), was arrested after an intensive investigation by a crack team of detectives who traced and arrested him at his hideout at KwaMadala Hostel in Gauteng.
Nkala was then brought back to uMsinga and pointed out the house where he sold the policeman’s firearm which he took during the shooting. The house, in Osuthu area of Msinga, was searched and the 9mm pistol with its serial number erased was found wrapped in a plastic bag hidden inside the house.
The suspect appeared in the uMsinga Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 5 August 2013 facing a charge of murder and robbery. He was remanded into police custody until 12 August for a formal bail application.
Mchunu, who is perturbed at the increase of the attacks on police officer, has welcomed this arrest, saying he hoped it would sent a clear message to all that killers of police officers would always be arrested and brought to courts to face the full mighty of the law.
"We welcome this arrest and I believe that it will send a clear message to those bent on killing and harassing our officers that such acts would be not tolerated by this Government.
"An attack on police officers, who are a shield between ruthless criminals and the communities, is an attack on the people and the Government. We hope that the Court would deal swiftly with this case so that it would be clear to all that crime does not pay at all," said Mchunu.
Media contact:
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: 072 803 1462 or 079 6995755
Email: kwanele.calane@kzntransport.gov.za
Sipho Khumalo
Cell: 082 682 6437
Email: sipho.khumalo@comsafety.gov.za
