TONGA – Local police are urging the community to work with them to combat the escalating number of crimes, not only in Tonga but across Nkomazi.
Two men suspected of kidnapping and murdering a 25-year-old man appeared in Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court on a charge of murder on Monday.
According to Tonga SAPS spokesperson, Cpt Mzwandile Nyambi, the three suspects allegedly accused the victim of stealing their money and kidnapped him from his home in Mangweni on March 3.
They allegedly fatally assaulted the victim and buried his body in a shallow grave in the bush.
The first suspect was arrested after his brother brought him to the Tonga police station on Thursday and the second was arrested over the weekend.
They pointed out the place where they had buried their victim and his body was recovered. The Toyota Quantum used in the crime was seized.
The suspects were remanded in custody until Friday, pending further investigation.
Anyone with information can contact the investigating officer on 082-464-6602.
Read: Murder suspects still at large
Station commander, Brig Velisiwe Mdaka, condemned the suspects’ behaviour and pleaded with the community not to take the law into their own hands.
Following a tip-off by community members, police in Matsulu managed to recover hundreds of items last Tuesday and arrest a serial burglar.
According to Nyambi, the suspect was linked to several murders and house robberies in the area. He appeared in the Matsulu Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Community members were urged to visit the police station to identify their items among the houseware, electronics, cellphones, clothes and watches that were recovered.
Cluster commander, Maj Gen Dorah Xaba, thanked the community for the information that led to the suspect’s arrest and urged them to continue working with the police.
READ: SAPS concerned about non-compliance of liquor dealers
In the early hours of Monday morning, two tractors were recovered within an hour of being stolen, in a joint operation between Securicon Lowveld and SAPS Intelligence.
They were tracked down in a bushy area near the Mozambican border, undamaged.
The suspects abandoned the stolen tractors when they realised that the investigating team was drawing closer, which prevented them crossing the border with their loot.
