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Cape Town - A murdered policeman’s firearm, which was stolen three years ago, led the Hawks to his suspected killers this week – and they were already behind bars, facing charges for a string of other crimes.
The two men, who have been in jail since 2014, were arrested on Friday for the 2013 killing of Sergeant Bafundi Mdlalo, 34.They are expected to appear in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court on Monday for the murder that took place in front of Mdlalo’s wife in their Mitchells Plain home.
These arrests brought to six the number of men arrested in a week for police murders.
On Monday, three men were detained in connection with killing Detective Constable Lindekile Skade in Grassy Park and stealing his service pistol on April 17.
Last Friday, a 22-year-old from Delft was arrested for allegedly murdering off-duty police officer Constable Lunthu Nkabi in the area on April 22.
Hawks spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the Mdlalo suspects were imprisoned in 2014 on suspicion of conspiring to commit robberies and possessing a stolen car, illegal firearms and ammunition. Tests had been done on the firearms.
“One of the firearms, which the suspects were arrested in possession of, was found to be the one which belonged to Sergeant Mdlalo, leading to the duo being charged for the murder of the police officer,” a statement by the Hawks said.
Hawks head Lieutenant-General Mthandazo Ntlemeza congratulated the team investigating police killings.
“We applaud them for working around the clock to bring justice and to send a stern warning that cop killers have no space in our society.”
caryn.dolley@inl.co.za
Weekend Argus