Three suspects suspected of murdering a police officer, Sergeant Obey Sotoyi (50), who was attached to the Mthatha Stock Theft unit on Saturday, August 5, briefly appeared before the Mthatha magistrate’s Court today, August 21.
Mkhululi Simanga (33), Maliviwe Gangatha (33) and Mzimasi Nodongwe (30) were remanded in custody, and their case was postponed until August 25, 2023, for formal bail application.
According to Warrant Officer from Hawks, Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, the trio is facing charges of police killing and possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
He said they were arrested by the Mthatha-based Serious Organized Crime Investigation team of the Hawks in conjunction with Tactical Response Team (TRT) and Local Record Centre (LCRC) on August 17, 2023.
He confirmed that they were found in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
“It is alleged that the team received information about the suspects that were driving a Blue Toyota Tazz suspected to have murdered Sotoyi at Langeni Township in the Tsolo area. It is reported that the team followed up information and spotted the said vehicle near Ross Mission on the R61 towards Ngcobo,” said Mhlakuvana.
He added that it is further alleged that the police stopped them, and one of the suspects tried to evade arrest, alighted from the vehicle, and fled on foot, leaving two of his co-accused in the vehicle.
Mhlakuvana said police allegedly chased and apprehended him. Upon searching him, a 9mm Vector pistol with 11 live ammunition rounds was found in his possession.
