Ten accused in Colonel Pretorius’ murder appear in Ermelo court
Ermelo murder suspects return to court, where the court looks at the confessions, weapons, and shocking links emerge.
ERMELO – Ten suspects, implicated in the murder of Ermelo Vehicle Investigation Unit commander, Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius, appeared in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on June 25.
The suspects are Aubrey Xaba (35), Skhumbuzo Skhakhane (40), Nyiko Mujovo (30), and Valencia Skhosana (35), along with Prince Gift Mdlhuli, Vusi Shabalala (43), Njabulo Zwane (26), Percy Duba (30), Phetheni Duba (37) and former police official, Mthobisi Nkosi (40).
On January 16, Pretorius was ambushed at the intersection of Havenga and Dr Nicol streets in the industrial area.
A gunman opened fire and shot Pretorius several times in his car, before jumping into a white BMW and speeding away.
This car was later found torched next to Ext 7 in Ermelo.
Pretorius was rushed to Ermelo Mediclinic, but he succumbed to his wounds in hospital.
While investigation into the murder of Pretorius continued, bail was denied for Percy, Zwane and Shabalala.
Shortly after their arrest on March 14, they allegedly each gave a confession.
During their bail application they denied any involvement in the planning and execution of the murder and challenged their confessions.
In Percy’s confession he reportedly stated that he met with Mdhluli on January 15, one day before the murder, where he was informed that he was in town to do a job.
On January 16, the day Pretorius was murdered, Mdhluli reportedly called him, instructing him to park a white BMW in Phetheni’s garage, and hide a bag containing an AK-47, while wearing gloves.
He claims he complied and gave the AK-47 to Shabalala.
Mdhluli then allegedly instructed him to burn the BMW, promising a payment of R10 000 into his sister’s account, with further payment due once the BMW was burnt.
Percy stated that he informed Zwane of what was required, and they bought petrol, made a petrol bomb and filled the BMW with papers before driving it to a veld, where he set it alight.
Percy allegedly confessed that Mdhluli told him they had killed a policeman who had interfered with an ex-officer’s actrivites.
Percy challenged the confession he allegedly made, stating that nowhere had he indicated that he conspired to murder the deceased or knew any of the accused’s intent to murder Pretorius.
Read the complete article in Highvelder.
