POLICE have made a breakthrough in the murder of off-duty metro police officer Mzuvukile Mhlengi in Philippi East on Wednesday.
“Concerted efforts by some community members to assist the police in the fight against crime continue to produce the desired results. Two suspects were arrested for the murder of the metro police officer who was killed on Wednesday as a result of tip-offs received by the Philippi East detectives in Lower Crossroads on Thursday,” said police spokesperson FC van Wyk.
Mhlengi, 49, was shot while sitting in his vehicle outside his home. The suspects fled the scene with his vehicle. Robbery was cited as the motive.
Mhlengi, with 19 years of service, was unarmed at the time of the incident.
“The detectives followed up on the information and arrested two suspects aged 39 and 49 in Kraaifontein and Lower Crossroads respectively. The vehicle was also found in the possession of one of the suspects. Both are detained at SAPS Philippi East and will appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Monday on a charge of murder,” said Van Wyk.
The killing of Mhlengi came just days after another off-duty police officer Mzingisi Gule was ambushed and shot dead.
Gule, from Ilitha Park, Khayelitsha, was shot three times in the head while driving in Thekweni Street, Lower Crossroads, on Saturday.
The motive is suspected to be carjacking and robbery.