Johannesburg - A high-powered team of Gauteng police detectives charged with investigating the assassination of slain ANC-linked billionaire Wandile Bozwana have shifted their focus to the North West province.
The Sunday Independent understands the team was following up on information that the alleged killers of Bozwana shared more than R1.6 million between them for their role in his murder.
It is believed the eight men were paid R200 000 each.
In a dramatic week following the arrests:
* The ANC in the province called on its members to refrain from pointing fingers at North West ANC chairman and Premier Supra Mahumapelo.
* Provincial secretary Dakota Legoete said the ANC also shared the view that Bozwana’s murder was a hit, while welcoming the arrest of two suspects.
* Mahumapelo’s lawyer, Pepsi Mataka, arrived in a Pretoria court on Friday where the two suspects were appearing.
Mataka said he attended the accused’s first appearance as an ordinary citizen of the country.
“You do not get an invitation to go to court. I was there like any other person,” he said. Mataka represents Mahumapelo in all personal and government legal matters.
The Sunday Independent understands the Gauteng task team members have moved to Mafikeng and surrounding areas to piece together information which could lead them to a suspect who knows the motive for Bozwana’s execution-style killing.
“He is no politician,” one of the sources said, claiming his arrest was likely to unearth the truth.
The police have since last week declined to comment on details about their investigations but confirmed they were on a manhunt.
The shift to the North West followed a major breakthrough on Wednesday when two suspects, aged 30 and 40, were nabbed in Olivenhoutbosch near Pretoria and another in Joburg.
The police executed the arrests a day after they visited Vryburg, also in the North West.
Officers interviewed a man “intensely” in Vryburg. He was not charged, but gave police information which led to Olivenhoutbosch and Joburg, where the two suspects were arrested.
Two other suspects fled the scene.
The arrested pair made their first appearance in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday and were charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of a stolen vehicle.
They were not asked to plead on the charges. Instead, the court issued an order prohibiting the publication of their names and pictures or video recordings of their first appearance.
The order was issued after the prosecution told the court a probe into the death was ongoing. The case against them was postponed until December 9.
It is understood the two suspects were part of a gang of eight who followed Bozwana on October 2.
The Sunday Independent’s sources said the police had obtained information that these “commercial murderers” were dressed in black pants and white shirts. They also had electronic communication tools similar to those used by VIP police.
They allegedly followed Bozwana while he and his female companion, Mpho Baloyi, entered a salon at Sandton City.
They also followed him when the two entered a nearby shop and later when the two went to a McDonald’s restaurant in Rivonia.
Later that day, on the N1 highway, near the Garsfontein off-ramp, a BMW M3 pulled up next to Boz-wana’s car. A man jumped out and fired multiple shots at Bozwana.
He was shot nine times while his companion was shot at twice. Both were later admitted to Unitas Hospital, where Bozwana died.
Due to the latest developments, Bozwana’s former business partners and members of the North West Business Forum (NWBF) have urged their members to increase their personal security, believing they could also be targets.
NWBF chairman Fana Moraka said they welcomed the arrests but the main culprits were still roaming the streets. “We reiterate our earlier view that there something big in the murder plot. The confession by the two arrested suspects inspires hope that the net will close in on all those who are involved.
“We are confident that more arrests will be made, including that of the mastermind. We are aware about the existence of a ‘hit list’ and we call on our members, especially our outspoken leaders, to be extremely cautious and to increase their personal security.”
Moraka thanked the investigating team for the sterling work they have done so far.
“Their focus on this case goes beyond the call of duty. Their determination … is most remarkable and highly commendable. There is big money at play here, but no life must be priced.
“Those who are responsible for the murder, if found, must face the wrath of the law.”
The Sunday Independent
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