The police have arrested a third suspect in the murder of Gauteng IFP deputy chief whip Khethamabala Sithole.

Sithole was gunned down while attending the launch of the IFP branch at the Buyafuthi Hostel on May 31, in the company of Gauteng provincial secretary Alco Ngobese and IFP Gauteng youth leader Sambulo Nxumalo.

Police arrested two of the suspects on June 2. They briefly appeared at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on June 5 and 12.

During their third court appearance at Palm Ridge on July 29, a third suspect appeared alongside them. The case was postponed to August 7 for a formal bail application.

Gauteng IFP chairperson Bonginkosi Dhlamini said, while addressing the media outside the court building, that they were pleased with the progress in the case.

“The police have arrested the third suspect in the murder case and informed us that they are pursuing two others who are still at large. We are, however, surprised that the suspects are now applying for bail after previously indicating during earlier court appearances that they would abandon their applications,” said Dhlamini.

He added that the IFP is strongly opposing the suspects’ bail application.

“According to the police, five suspects are involved in the murder case,” said Dhlamini.

He added that more arrests are expected soon in the case.

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