Hefty sentence for two cop killers, another arrested
Muntungani Mbatha (41) and Sabelo Similo (35) were each sentenced to a life imprisonment plus 75 years after they were found guilty of killing Lieutenant Colonel Knox Chauke by the Johannesburg High Court on Thursday last week. Lt Col Chauke was on his way to work when he was shot and killed in front of his house by two hit men at Kagiso in 2014.
Hawks’ investigations revealed that Mbatha and Similo were hired to kill Lt Col Chauke as a result of a family feud. In a separate incident the Hawks in Mpumalanga have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the murder of a police officer and robbery on Saturday. Constable Sanyane Joseph Hlongwane , who was stationed at Vaalbank police station had responded to a robbery with his colleague on 18 July 2015.
When they arrived at the scene of crime around 2am the suspect fired shots at them, killing Constable Hlongwane instantly. The suspect is currently appearing before the Vaalbank Magistrate’s Court on charges of murder and robbery.