The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the arrest of the fifth suspect on 18 January 2023, in connection with the murders of Mogalakwena Municipality Councillors.
The victims, Valtyn Kekana (54) and Ralph Kanyane (32) were reportedly sitting in a motor vehicle when they were gunned down on 23 July 2019 by the suspect who fled the scene soon after the incident.
The team that was assembled to probe these murders conducted intense investigations that initially led to the arrest of four suspects in May 2022.
The accused, Samuel Seruputlane (50), Jabulane Petros Mashamaite (43), James Mswezi Chuma (42), and Nkholo Frans Mangadi (49) have already appeared in court on several occasions. They are scheduled to stand trial in the Limpopo Division of the High Court in Polokwane from 27 February 2023, facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of murder and possession of illegal firearm.
The fifth suspect, aged 28, has been on the run until the team managed to apprehend him in Lebowakgomo this morning, following a well coordinated investigation. He is expected to appear in Mokopane magistrate court today, 19 January 2023 facing a charge of two counts of murder.
“This latest arrest, is highly commendable and it should send a strong message that the Police will always be determined and unrelenting when pursuing criminals and bringing them to book,” said Lieutenant General Hadebe.