Six suspects allegedly involved in a series of hit murders, driven by a sinister motive to claim insurance pay-outs were arrested on September 15, and during the early hours of this morning, September 16.
According to police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, a multidisciplinary, well-coordinated operation was conducted at about 01:00 this morning where warrants of arrests were executed at the residence of six suspects in Kwanobuhle and Despatch.
“The suspects were wanted in several murder cases where the motive for the killings was driven by greed and deception for insurance claims,” said Naidu.
She said that the arrests were effected after more than 10 months of intense investigations by the Queenstown Murder and Robbery and Cradock Commercial Crimes Investigation unit which linked the syndicate to numerous hit killings in Kwadwesi, Kwanobuhle, Despatch, Whittlesea, and Kamesh.
“The suspects were connected to these cases through ballistic linkages and insurance policies,” said Naidu.
She said that a seventh suspect is at St Albans Prison, awaiting trial for the possession of a firearm case, and will also be charged with the other six suspects.
“The suspects aged between 40 and 52 years old face charges of at least 11 murder cases of which two are double murder cases in Kwanobuhle, racketeering and fraud relating to the several claims that were submitted on deceased persons for 11 deaths as well as illegal possession of firearms and ammunition,” said Naidu.
She said that during the arrests, the team consisting of Murder and Robbery from Komani; Commercial Crimes Unit from Cradock, Kariega, and Gqeberha; Provincial Anti-Gang Unit in Gqeberha; Public Order Police in Gqeberha; SAPS Kwanobuhle and Despatch detectives also confiscated a firearm, three magazines, 95 live rounds of ammunition and two cellphones.
Naidu said that the arrested suspects will appear in the Kariega Magistrate Court on September 18, on the respective charges.
Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene lauded the exceptional work of the dedicated police investigators who have tirelessly pursued justice in a case that strikes at the heart of the community’s safety.
Mene in her commendation on the outstanding success iterated that, “these arrests are a testament to the unwavering commitment and professionalism of our law enforcement officers who worked diligently to bring these perpetrators to book.”
“Their dedication has not only removed a dangerous threat from our streets but also sends a clear message that crime will not go unpunished.”
Mene said that it must be noted that the breakthrough would not have been possible without the outstanding collaboration between investigators, the National Prosecuting Authority, and their partners in the insurance industry.
“This success marks the beginning of our fight against organised crime and I am convinced that it will open doors for more arrests, dismantling criminal networks that threaten our communities,” said Mene.
