Three suspects arrested in the murder of Emalahleni chief whip Xoliseka Lali
Eastern Cape police arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of Xoliseka Lali, a Chief Whip of Emalahleni Local Municipality in the Chris Hani District.
Image: Facebook
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Eastern Cape arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of Xoliseka Lali, a chief whip of Emalahleni Local Municipality in the Chris Hani District.
Lali, 43, was shot and killed at his rented accommodation in Komani on July 21, 2025.
Police investigators found the suspects believed to be behind his killing in Mthatha on Tuesday afternoon.
"Following intensive investigations by the Eastern Cape Provincial Serious Violent Crime Unit, critical information was pursued which led investigators to Mthatha. On Tuesday, 28 July 2025, three suspects – two males and one female aged between 37 and 42– were apprehended," said police spokesperson, Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana.
She said the suspects would make their first court appearance on Wednesday.
"The suspects were taken in for questioning. The suspects have been formally charged with murder and will appear before the Queenstown Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 30 July 2025," she added.
On Monday, the political task team arrested a former municipal manager of the Umzimkhulu Local Municipality in connection with the murder of National Congress (ANC) Youth League Secretary, Sindiso Magaqa.
Zweliphansi Stanley Skhosana appeared in the Mzimkhulu Magistrates' Court in connection with the murder.
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in KwaZulu-Natal said Skhosana, 55, faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm, unlawful possession of firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and defeating the administration of justice.
She said the case has been remanded to August 1 for the defence to appoint counsel for the bail application.
Magaqa was shot in his hometown of Umzimkhulu in July 2017 and died months later in hospital.
He was killed for speaking out against a corruption-riddled tender to construct a local memorial hall.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
IOL News
Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel