Cape Town - The police’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) has arrested the man suspected of having killed a police constable in Mpumalanga recently.
In a statement, Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said: “A joint operation which comprised members of the Crime Intelligence and Special Task Force led to the arrest of Mthobisi Lennox Ngwenyama (33) who allegedly shot and killed Constable Joseph Baloyi (35) on Wednesday last week.
“Ngwenyama was found hiding at his cousin’s abandoned house at Tshabalala Trust Village in Hazyview, Mpumalanga, at around 2am on Wednesday morning. He will appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Friday where he will faces charges of murder, escaping from unlawful custody and attempted murder.”
Baloyi, an investigating officer who was stationed at Kabokweni police station in Mpumalanga, was shot and killed while driving into his house last week. Ngwenyama had escaped from custody on 13 May shortly before he was due to appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on a charge of rhino poaching dating back to 2014. Baloyi was the investigating officer in that case.
Acting Head of the Hawks Major General Mthandazo Ntlemeza, said: “We applaud the members who worked tirelessly to bring justice to one of their own. This is testament to the reality that despite the threat from the minority who are after police’s blood, the police are still prepared to put their lives on the line to serve and protect as well as restoring order, peace and stability.”
ANA