KABOKWENI – An aircraft-maintenance engineer of the Kruger National Park (KNP) Air Services section was killed by a vehicle on Saturday morning when he attempted to flee from hijackers.
Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the robbery of his car and are now also being charged with his murder. According to Capt Dawie Pretorius, spokesman for Mbombela police, Mr Teboho Ntabe (39) was travelling between KaBokweni and KaMagugu on Saturday and pulled over at about 04:00. He was driving a Ford Ranger and was attacked by men who wanted to hijack the vehicle.
Ntabe exited the Ranger and tried to run to safety. An oncoming Volkswagen Polo Vivo hit him. “The driver didn’t stop and went to KaNyamazane Police Station to report the incident. He was then referred to Mbombela SAPS and officials went to investigate,” said Pretorius.
They found Ntabe’s body next to the road, covered with branches.
The tracking device fitted in the Ranger was activated and police and a tracking company traced the vehicle in Kaapmuiden on Monday.
Four occupants were arrested. The suspects will appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court today on charges of murder, hijacking and defeating the ends of justice. On Tuesday, they will appear in the Malalane Magistrate’s Court on a charge of the possession of a stolen vehicle.
Ntabe had been working in the KNP since February 2009. Mr William Mabasa, spokesman for the park, said they mourned his loss and conveyed their condolences to his family.
