Two SANDF officials arrested for murder of a police officer
Two suspects who are South African National Defence Force (SANDF) officials are expected to appear at the Randburg Magistrate's Court in connection with the murder of a police officer.
The two suspects aged 36 and 51, were arrested on Sunday, 22 June, at OR Tambo International Airport and in Centurion, Pretoria.
The arrests were effected by members of the Johannesburg-based Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Headquarters Serious Organised Crime Investigation, and Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS).
Hawks spokesperson in Gauteng, Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Singo, said the arrests are linked to the murder of Lieutenant Colonel Frans Mathipa, who was fatally shot while driving on the N1 highway near Hammanskraal on 6 August 2023. Following the shooting, his vehicle lost control and veered into a ditch.
Singo said Lieutenant Colonel Mathipa, who was attached to the Hawks' Crimes Against the State section within the Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Gauteng, was on duty conducting an investigation at the time of his death.
Singo said during the operation, police also seized a vehicle belonging to the 36-year-old suspect.
The vehicle is alleged to have been used in the kidnapping of two male foreign nationals at a mall in Midrand on 29 December 2022.
'It has since been impounded for further forensic investigation. The suspects are expected to appear before the Randburg Magistrate's Court on Monday, 23 June, where they will face charges of murder and kidnapping,' he added.
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 South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
10 more SANDF members arrested for murder of Hawks officer
The Hawks arrested ten more South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members on Monday, 23 June. This brings the total number of suspects linked to the murder of Lieutenant Colonel Frans Mathipa to twelve. Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Singo confirmed that the group handed themselves over to the Hawks' serious organised crime investigation unit in Johannesburg. All twelve accused now face charges of murder and kidnapping. The newly arrested suspects joined two previously detained SANDF members at the Randburg Magistrate's Court on Monday. The court postponed the matter to 1 July 2025 for a formal bail application. A court order currently prohibits the disclosure of the accused's identities Lt-Col Mathipa, a senior Hawks officer, was fatally shot while driving along the N1 near Hammanskraal in August 2023. His attackers pulled up alongside his vehicle and opened fire, causing his car to veer off the road and crash. Investigators have also linked one of the suspects to a separate case involving the kidnapping of two foreign nationals at a Midrand shopping mall on 29 December 2022. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out further arrests. 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 Citizen
6 hours ago
- The Citizen
An SANDF soldier that killed one of the two soldiers he stabbed turned the knife on himself
An SANDF soldier that killed one of the two soldiers he stabbed turned the knife on himself The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has clarified the events that led to the deaths of two soldiers and the injury of a third at the Macadamia Military Base near Komatipoort in the early hours of Saturday, June 21. Initial reports suggested a shooting, with some outlets reporting that a soldier had shot two colleagues before turning the weapon on himself. However, these claims were later corrected when it emerged that the incident had involved a stabbing, not a firearm. According to a statement issued by Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala, director of corporate communication for the SANDF, a soldier entered a bungalow housing other members and allegedly threatened them with a knife. While some managed to flee, two remained inside. One of them was fatally stabbed and the other injured. The attacker later stabbed himself in the neck and died in hospital. 'The SANDF member allegedly attacked fellow soldiers inside the accommodation bungalow. One soldier died at the scene, another was injured, and the attacker later died in hospital from self-inflicted wounds,' said Tshabalala. He confirmed that the injured soldier was also hospitalised and that the SANDF, with support from the SAPS, had launched a full investigation to determine the facts. Members of the Military Health and Chaplain Services have been deployed to the base to offer support and counselling to personnel affected by the incident. Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane initially declined to comment, citing protocol that designated the SANDF as the official communication channel. However, she later confirmed to SABC News that police had opened cases of murder, attempted murder and an inquest. ALSO READ: Standerton Regional Court sentences convicted serial rapist to another 25 years in jail 'As the police, we are investigating a case of murder, attempted murder and an inquest following an incident that occurred at the Macadamia Base Camp. We were informed of an alleged altercation among individuals at the base. Investigations are ongoing, and no arrests have been made at this stage,' she said. The identities of the deceased had not been released at the time of publication. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
Eastern Cape woman gets 15 years for stabbing boyfriend and aunt
The Mthatha High Court sentenced 39-year-old Noncedo Mqokro to 15 years in prison. She was convicted on two counts of murder and one count of housebreaking with intent to commit an offence. The court ordered her 15-year sentences for each murder, along with an eight-year sentence for housebreaking, to run concurrently. In her guilty plea, Mqokro admitted to fatally stabbing her boyfriend, the father of her child, and her distant aunt, whom she found in bed with him. The killings took place on the night of 19 May 2024, after Mqokro attended a traditional ceremony in her home village of Nondindwa, Mcothama, in the Centane district. She told the court she had been drinking alcohol and decided to visit her boyfriend at his home in the nearby village of Khabakazi. Upon arrival, he refused to let her in when she looked through a window. She said she saw him having sex with her distant aunt, who shared her mother's clan name. In a fit of rage, Mqokro forced the door open. Retrieved a dagger from a bucket where the boyfriend usually hid it, and attacked the pair. She could not recall how many times she stabbed them, but claimed they were still alive when she left. She later confessed the attack to the boyfriend's mother and handed herself over to police the next day, after learning the two had died from their injuries. During sentencing, the court took into account a pre-sentence report which revealed that Mqokro suffered from epilepsy and received a social grant due to her condition. She had also previously escaped an abusive marriage and bore scars from past abuse allegedly inflicted by the deceased boyfriend. State Advocate Loyiso Methuso acknowledged the tragic loss of life, particularly for the children of the deceased, but confirmed that Mqokro showed remorse and needed professional support. Her youngest daughter had reportedly blamed her for the father's death. Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo, welcomed the sentence. He urged individuals in abusive relationships to seek help through legal channels. 'This outcome should serve as a caution that no matter the provocation, those who commit violent crimes will face the consequences,' said Madolo. 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.
