KZN principal Zwelabantu Zuma’s murder suspect gunned down in Soweto police shootout

A suspect wanted for the murder of a school principal in KwaZulu-Natal was tracked and traced to Gauteng, where he died in a hail of bullets during a shootout with police on Sunday. 

The suspect was sought by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) National Intervention Unit (NIU). 

He was linked to the murder of Zwelabantu Zuma, the school principal who was shot and killed in his office at a school in Msinga in 2020.

The police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said the suspect was not only wanted for the murder. 

“The 40-year-old suspect was wanted for several other cases in KZN, including carjacking and being in possession of an unlicensed firearm.  He was previously arrested, but the case was withdrawn in court. The relentless SAPS investigator presented new evidence before the court and a J50 warrant of arrest was issued for the suspect,” Mathe said. 

The relentless pursuit by the NIU led officers to  Soweto. 

“On Sunday afternoon, members of the NIU tracked down the suspect to a hostel in Mapetla, Soweto. When the suspect noticed the presence of police, he began shooting, and the NIU returned fire, fatally wounding him,” Mathe said. 

Police confirmed they still seek one suspect linked to the murder. 

“Two other accused in the case of the murder of  Zwelabantu Zuma are already serving life sentences, while two others died before being tried. One suspect is still outstanding in this case, and police are still searching for the remaining suspect,” Mathe said. 

robin.francke@iol.co.za

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