A Lusikisiki-based District Court prosecutor was murdered in
his home in Cradock, leading to the arrest of one suspect and another allegedly
committing suicide in front of police officers who had stopped the duo.
The prosecutor was identified as Sivenathi Ralarala (36).
NPA regional spokesperson in the Eastern Cape, Anelisa
Ngcakani, said on the evening of 25 September Mdumiseni Mduduzi Mkhize allegedly
visited Ralarala at his home on the said evening.
“It is alleged that during
the evening Ralarala was at his family home in Cradock when Mkhize arrived and
requested to speak to him. Ralarala went outside to speak to him and subsequent
to this his family members heard gunshots. They found Ralarala lying on the
ground, he died at the scene. The police swiftly commenced with their
investigation and gathered that Mkhize and another suspect allegedly used a
silver Hyundai as a getaway vehicle. Police located the vehicle the following
morning driving along R61 from Mthatha,” she said.
Ngcakani said the vehicle was stopped near Tabase and the
police searched it.
“As the two occupants, Mkhize and a female police Sergeant stood
outside the vehicle, police heard a gunshot. The police Sergeant had a gunshot
wound to the head. It is alleged that she shot herself. She was rushed to
hospital but she has since passed away. Police recovered a firearm, a 9 mm pistol
with a magazine loaded with nine rounds of live ammunition and one cartridge,”
she said.
Provincial police spokesperson colonel Priscilla Naidu
confirmed the police officer’s death. Her name has not been released.
Ngcakani
said the 45-year-old Mkhize has been charged with murder and possession of an
unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
He
appeared at the Cradock Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
“His case was postponed
to 8 October 2021 for formal bail application. The NPA will oppose bail as this
is a Schedule 6 offence which means that it falls under the most serious
category of offences for purposes of bail.”
In an unrelated matter, Komani arrested two juveniles on Thursday with suspected stolen
copper cables.
Police spokesperson captain Lariane Jonker said the copper
cables were believed to be from a library substation in Mlungisi location and
their value is estimated at R250 000.
She said the suspects were handed
over to social workers. The acting Chris Hani District commissioner, Brigadier
Mabel Magqashela welcomed the arrests
and warned the community not to use juveniles to commit crimes.
