An official in the Office of the Premier’s Integrity Management Unit (IMU) briefly appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on charges of murder today, May 28.

Jabulani Eckson Mkhonto (53) was remanded in custody pending his next court appearance on Thursday, June 4, for an official bail application.

According to Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Vevhuhulwi, Tshwane district detectives traced and arrested Mkhonto in Tonga, Mpumalanga, in connection with a 2023 murder that took place in Villieria, Gauteng.

ALSO READ: Suspected poaching boss ‘Big Joe’ Nyalungu killed in Mkhuhlu

Lowveld Media initially reported that two IMU officials had been arrested. However, it has since emerged that only one official was arrested, and a second is being sought by the authorities. Vevhuhulwi said the team is still on the lookout for the second suspect, who failed to hand himself over to the police as promised.

The name of the second suspect is known to Lowveld Media. He previously worked as a protocol officer in the office of the late former Mpumalanga premier and former deputy president, David Mabuza. He also served under former premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane.

The murder investigation is linked to the death of Mabidi Izzy Machaba (57), an IMU chief director who was regarded as an anti-corruption official. In 2023, gunmen opened fire on his vehicle while driving home towards Tshwane.

His laptop, believed to have held sensitive information about corruption investigations relating to millions of rands, was allegedly stolen during the incident.

Machaba was severely injured and left for dead by the attackers. He spent nearly five months in a coma before dying from his injuries in August 2024.

The late Mabidi Izzy Machaba. > Photo: Facebook/Makarina Blue

A second murder victim, Andrew Nkosi, a deputy director within the IMU, was later shot at his home in Pienaar, just outside Mbombela.He too survived the shooting, but after being discharged from hospital, he was shot again and killed.

Nkosi was allegedly investigating a R110m corruption scandal involving high-ranking government officials when he was murdered.

Mpumalanga government spokesperson, George Mthethwa, confirmed the criminal investigations against the suspects.

“The Office of the Premier has noted the ongoing investigation [and arrest] conducted by law enforcement agencies. The office further urges all interested parties to observe the principle of innocence until proven guilty,” said Mthethwa in a statement.

*This article has been amended to remove the identity of an individual previously named in connection with the incident, pending official confirmation from authorities.