KOMANI – A 41-year-old man has been arrested for the murder of a police sergeant following a multi-disciplinary operation on 26 April.

The multi-disciplinary team consisted of the Komani Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI), Maletswai Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), Maletswai Crime Intelligence (CI), Maletswai K9 Unit, Palmietfontein detectives and Community Service Centre (CSC) members.

According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, the arrest was prompted by an incident which occurred in the early hours of 25 April, at approximately 00:15, when police responded to information regarding a person lying motionless along the roadside at Thabalesoba.

“Upon arrival, officers discovered the lifeless body of a man, later positively identified as Sergeant Kholisile Lesley Masumi, a serving member of SAPS,” said Mhlakuvana.

“Preliminary observations indicated that the off-duty Sergeant Masumi sustained fatal injuries, including stab wounds and blunt force trauma, pointing to a violent and deliberate attack.”

Mhlakuvana said that a manhunt was instituted and intensified by the multidisciplinary team, which culminated in a meticulously coordinated, intelligence-driven operation conducted on 26 April.

Intelligence information indicated that the suspect allegedly engaged in a violent confrontation with Kholisile during the early hours of 26 April.

“Reports indicate there were attempts by bystanders to defuse the altercation, which were reportedly unsuccessful due to the suspect’s heightened aggression,” said Mhlakuvana.

He said that an intensive probe by the joint team resulted in the arrest of the suspect who is due to appear before Sterkspruit Magistrate’s Court on 28 April.

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