The acting MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Dr Sibonginiseni Dhlomo, who is also the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health, has greatly welcomed a breakthrough made by police who arrested five suspects in connection with murders at KwaMashu Hostel.
In the early hours of this morning, KwaMashu detectives and Inanda Crime Intelligence conducted an intelligence driven operation, searching for suspects who allegedly committed murders at the KwaMashu hostel in October 2014. Five suspects aged between 22 and 35 were arrested and detained. They will appear at Ntuzuma Magistrates Court on 11 August 2015.
The arrests are related to the murder of Mpilo Magubane (25) whose body was found with assault and stab wounds at Qhakaza in October 2014. Police have arrested a 29-year-old suspect and he will be charged for murder. Also, on 24 October 2014, Senzo Shangase (24) was also found dead at Qhakaza area. His hands were tied behind his body and he was assaulted and burnt to death.
Thorough investigations led police to the arrest of four suspects for his murder. Today (Friday, 7 August 2015), Dhlomo welcomed and praised the police for these arrests, saying he had no doubt that they represent a commitment by the Government to eradicate killings at the Kwa-Mashu hostel. “As the Government, we have invested a lot of resources in stabilizing the hostel with a view of bringing about a lasting peace and peaceful co-existence.
Our efforts had involved convening talks with political parties operating at the hostel and strengthening security. “We are, therefore, elated at these arrests and we hope that they will send a clear message that those responsible for mayhem and murder at this hostel will soon face the full might of the law,” said Dhlomo.
He also called on the hostel inmates and political players to work with the Government and the police to ensure that a lasting peace was brought to the hostel.
Enquiries:
Sipho Khumalo
Cell: 082 682 6437
Email: Sipho.Khumalo@comsafety.gov.za
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: 072 803 1462 or 079 699 5755
Email: Kwanele.Ncalane@kzntransport.gov.za
