MBOMBELA – The sixth accused in the hijacking and murder trial following the death of a Kruger National Park (KNP) aircraft-maintenance engineer, was arrested in December.
Mr Mxolisi Irvin Khoza Ngowane has been on the run since the arrest of the five other suspects on November 3. Five accused were apprehended on this date and appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on December 3, 10 and 17. Capt Boy Elias Mkhari, the investigating officer, testified during their bail proceedings. According to Mkhari the victim, Mr Teboho Ntabe (39) was asleep in his Ford Ranger on the morning of November 1. Three of the accused hijacked him and restricted his movements by holding on to his arm, it was testified.
It was when he tried to break free from their grip and run away when he was fatally hit by an oncoming VW Polo. Lowvelder previously reported that the driver of the Polo made a police statement shortly after. The five accused were allegedly planning to sell the stolen vehicle when they were apprehended at the Kaapmuiden Police Station. Just before their arrest, a sixth suspect, Ngowane, jumped from the bakkie and ran from the scene.
The police finally traced him and he was arrested. He appeared in court and was charged with hijacking and murder on December 23. Bail of R1 500 was set and all six of the accused will appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court again on February 5.
