Fourth suspect arrested for the murder of Prasa regional manager
Khoaele, 53, was shot and killed in a hail of bullets inside his vehicle on Shelbourne Avenue in La Lucia on the evening of 22 January 2025.
KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the matter was handed over to the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime: Murder and Robbery Unit detectives who cracked the case and arrested 35-year-old twin brothers Vukani and Vukile Mchunu on 27 July 2025.
Investigations also pointed to 38-year-old Sandile Sakhile Ngcobo, the suspected mastermind of the murder of Jacob Khoaele. Ngcobo made his first appearance on 4 August 2025.
According to police Ngcobo is also the accused person on the triple murder and attempted murder case in which he allegedly shot and killed three people who were accused of a murder which they committed at Msinsini in 2021.
The three had just appeared in court when they were shot and killed inside their vehicle in Hibberdene on 27 June 2024. A passerby also sustained a gunshot wound during the incident.
Netshiunda said on Friday, 8 August, the murder and robbery unit detectives made yet another breakthrough when their investigations led them to Scottburgh Magistrate's Court where the fourth suspect, a 24-year-old man was arrested while appearing on a case of house robbery and attempted murder where he allegedly shot a homeowner before stealing his vehicle in Hibberdene on 11 November 2024.
'The 24-year-old suspect will appear in the Durban Magistrate's Court on Monday, 11 August. The trio of Mchunu twins and Ngcobo will also be in the dock again on Tuesday, 12 August,' Netshiunda added.
Police are still searching for at least two more suspects who were also allegedly involved in the killing of the Prasa manager.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011
021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
20 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Dirco clarifies its response to US report that claimed racial minorities are abused in SA
Dirco disputed the 'inaccurate and distorted account of the facts' in the US Human Rights Report. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has updating its initial statement challenging the 2024 US Human Rights Report's assessment of safety conditions in South Africa's rural and farming communities. The report, released this month, stated that 'South Africa took a substantially worrying step towards land expropriation of Afrikaners and further abuses against racial minorities in the country'. It highlighted 'significant human rights issues', including unlawful killings, arbitrary arrest and the repression of racial minorities. 'The [South African] government did not take credible steps to investigate, prosecute, and punish officials who committed human rights abuses, including inflammatory racial rhetoric against Afrikaners and other racial minorities, or violence against racial minorities.' SA government rejects racial motivation claims Dirco on Wednesday said the South African government wishes to clarify what it called 'an inaccurate and distorted account of the facts'. It said the nation addresses all forms of crime as a significant challenge affecting all citizens, regardless of their race or location. 'The suggestion that these crimes represent a concerted practice of racially motivated attacks, as insinuated by the US report, is not borne out by the facts,' Dirco stated. ALSO READ: Dirco rejects 'inaccurate and deeply flawed' US reports on SA human rights Police statistics challenge US assessment Official statistics from the South African Police Service (Saps) support the government's position. The data covers rural safety for the fourth quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year, from 1 January to 31 March 2025. Dirco highlighted that during this period, six murder cases occurred in farming communities. The breakdown of victims demonstrates that crimes do not target a single racial group. According to the statistics quoted by Dirco, the three victims were farm employees, one was a farm dweller, and two were farmers. 'These figures underscore that violent crime in rural areas affects everyone who lives and works on farms and related rural areas,' the department said. 'While the loss of any life is a tragedy, these statistics do not reveal a pattern of action driven by inflammatory racial rhetoric against a specific community.' ALSO READ: US report on human rights abuse in SA rejected Rural safety strategy Dirco said the government continues implementing a multi-disciplinary approach to rural safety. It said the National Rural Safety Strategy remains a priority and operates in police station areas serving rural and farming communities. By the end of the fourth quarter of 2024/2025, the strategy had been fully implemented in 893 out of 900 identified rural police stations. The initiative focuses on strengthening police capacity and encouraging community involvement, including traditional leaders and agricultural organisations. Parties involved in rural safety strategy The strategy incorporates multiple stakeholder groups in its implementation. Commercial farmers associations participate through organisations including: African Farmers Association of South Africa, National African Farmers' Union, Agri-SA and its provincial structures, and Transvaal Agricultural Union. Labour unions also play a role, particularly the Food and Allied Workers Union and organisations advocating for farm workers' rights. Interest groups such as AfriForum, the South African Agricultural Research Institute, and Stop Attacks and Farm Murders contribute to the collaborative effort. Private sector collaboration The government said it actively strengthens public-private partnerships through specialised programmes. 'Furthermore, we are actively strengthening public-private partnerships through initiatives like the Eyes and Ears (E2) programme, coordinated with Business Against Crime South Africa (Bacsa),' the department stated. This initiative utilises the private security industry's technological and logistical capabilities, which improve response times to rural crimes. Commitment to transparency Dirco said South Africa maintains its commitment to transparent and collaborative crime-fighting approaches. The government expressed readiness to engage with other countries on matters of mutual interest through established diplomatic channels. 'We stand ready to engage with any nation on matters of mutual interest through established diplomatic channels, and we will continue to provide accurate, data-driven information to counter any misrepresentations of our domestic situation,' the department concluded. NOW READ: Dirco reviewing ministerial report on Hajj and Umrah for SA pilgrims
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Reward offered for leads in Cape Town double murder
Western Cape police have announced a R50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspects involved in a double murder in Bellville. Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes detectives said the murders occurred on November 8, 2024, at a business on South Street around 7:30 pm. The victims were 40-year-old Chinese national Muadi Huang and 18-year-old bystander Enrico White. Provincial police spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk said Huang was found with gunshot wounds to the body. The suspect shot and killed White when he reportedly ran after him. Medical personnel declared both dead at the scene. 'The suspect wore a cap that covered his face. Detectives are investigating the motive for this attack,' van Wyk said. Police are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact Detective Lieutenant Colonel Adrian Pretorius at 082 777 8499, Detective Colonel Eddie Clark at 082 469 1531, or Crime Stop at 08600 10111. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Hoërskool Roodepoort: 19 learners suspended over violent clash
The Gauteng Department of Education has suspended 19 learners from West Ridge High School and Hoërskool Roodepoort following a violent clash which left the Principal stabbed on her hand and three learners suffering serious injuries. The incident happened on Monday, 18 August, following an earlier altercation between learners from the two schools on Friday, 15 August, which was circulated on social media. The South African previously reported that on Monday, 18 August, the situation escalated when a group of West Ridge learners, allegedly seeking revenge, went to Hoërskool Roodepoort, where they attacked learners and pelted cars with stones. Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said the Principal of Hoërskool Roodepoort was stabbed while trying to destabilise the situation, and was rushed to the hospital for treatment. However, she has since been discharged. Furthermore, three learners from Hoërskool Roodepoort sustained serious injuries. On Wednesday, 20 August, Mabona told eNCA that they had served at least 19 learners with letters of suspension, and they will not be in school for the next seven days. Mabona said they have already informed and interacted with some parents regarding the incident. 'We just need to make sure that the disciplinary hearing sits. The hearing will assist us with the finer details of what led to the violent act,' he said. Reacting to the incident, MEC Matome Chiloane said it is completely unacceptable that such violence has spilled into schools, where the safety of both learners and educators has now been compromised. Chiloane said it is even more disturbing that a principal, in her efforts to protect learners, was stabbed in the process. 'We will not allow violence and intimidation to take root in our schools, law enforcement must ensure that perpetrators face the full consequences of their actions. Our schools must remain centres of safety, learning, and growth, not battlegrounds,' he said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
