A 29 year old South African Police Service (SAPS) Constable, Jappie Tshabalala stationed at Reitz SAPS appeared at Reitz Magistrates Court today, 14 May 2010 on charges of murder and defeating the end of justice.
This comes after he confessed to a Magistrate at Reitz on 11 May 2010 to have kept the body of the deceased, Samson Ngwenya who was his colleague in his house from 1 to 5 May 2010. He alleges that the deceased took his service pistol and committed suicide while he was taking a bath. The incident happened on 1 May 2010.
The suspect dumped the deceased body on the Bethlehem road.
The suspect was arrested by the police. The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) took over the investigation after the family of the deceased laid a complaint to the ICD that they were not satisfied with matter being investigated by the police.
The matter was heard at Bethlehem High Court from 21 to 25 February 2011. On 24 February the accused was found guilty as charged with murder. He was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.
Enquiries:
Moses Dlamini
Cell: 082 809 1927
Source: Independent Complaints Directorate
