Durban - KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Willies Mchunu has welcomed the arrest of a woman who allegedly hired an assassin to kill a policeman in Ladysmith.
On May 23, Warrant Officer Bongani Sibusiso Xaba, 50, was travelling along Collings Pass Road in Elandslaagte, accompanied by a 33-year-old woman.
The police’s Captain Thulani Zwane said when they questioned the woman, she alleged that the vehicle was “giving problems” and when the officer stopped to investigate, two men appeared from the bush and attacked the couple.
“Warrant Officer Xaba was severely beaten and two cellphones were allegedly stolen. He was rushed to hospital where he later died on June 22,” Zwane said.
Xaba was employed in the Ladysmith vehicle identification section.
A case of murder was being investigated by the Elandslaagte SAPS.
During the investigation, detectives established that the woman had hired a 29-year-old man to murder the policeman.
“The attack had not been a random, opportunistic act, but had been carefully planned,” Zwane said.
The 29-year-old hit man was arrested at Roosboom and the woman was arrested at Steadville by members of Elandslaagte detective services, assisted by the Ladysmith K9 unit and the Ladysmith cluster trio crime task team.
Cellphones were recovered.
Both suspects would appear in the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court today charged with murder.
Mchunu commended the police on the good work done.
“We urge communities in the province to work closely with the police to eliminate crime and criminality,” said Mchunu.
Daily News