Anti-Gang Unit members in Gqeberha arrested two suspects within an hour after the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old man and the injury to another which took place on Sunday, 26 September 2021 in the Vastrap informal settlement in the Bethelsdorp policing area.
It is alleged that at about 10:30, Menalik Maleba and his friend, aged 18, were in his house when the suspect entered and fired at them. Maleba sustained a fatal wound to the side of the head while his friend, who managed to escape, sustained a gunshot wound to his face. Investigators from the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation (Gang Investigation) found the victim at the hospital. He was taken to hospital by private transport.
It is further alleged that after the shooting, the suspect drove away with Maleba’s vehicle, a VW Polo Classic. The vehicle was immediately circulated and within the hour, Anti-Gang Unit members spotted the vehicle driving in Booysens Park Drive. Two of the three occupants in the vehicle were arrested and detained.
The suspects aged 24 and 29 were detained on charges of murder, attempted murder, and possession of suspected stolen property (vehicle). The vehicle was confiscated for further investigation. The suspects are expected to appear in the Gqeberha Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 28 September 2021.
While the Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Brigadier Thandiswa Kupiso welcomed the speedy arrests by the Anti-Gang Unit members, she appealed to the communities to work with police and not to harbor criminals. “In order to establish good governance, there must be cooperation between the SAPS and the community. We cannot allow criminals to disrupt peaceful neighborhoods therefore community partnerships are important to ensure that criminals such as these are stopped and are behind bars,” added Brig Kupiso.