Five arrested for pastor’s murder

The suspects, arrested on Tuesday, are believed to have been linked to cases of murder, hijacking, robbery and possession of suspected stolen property, Ladysmith Gazette reported.

Police said the arrested suspects, aged between 17 and 24, will appear in the Glencoe Magistrates’ Court soon.

Last week, police found a vehicle belonging to a Salvation Army congregation priest in the Hattingspruit area. The Toyota Verso was later traced to a priest at the Salvation Army congregational church in Ezakheni.

The priest was last seen on March 17 while on his way to Nquthu. He never returned home. A missing persons docket was opened at Ezakheni Police Station after his vehicle was found.

Hattingspruit police then received information concerning a person who had been robbed of cash by criminals using the same vehicle. The robbery victim said there were six occupants in the Toyota, including the owner. He and the owner of the vehicle were taken to Dundee, where they were forced to withdraw cash at an ATM. He was later dropped off, and the robbers drove away, taking the owner of the vehicle with them.

On Monday, March 23, police arrested the first suspect in the Nyanyadu area. This suspect took them to the Glencoe area, where three more arrests were made. Goods such as shoes taken from the victim were recovered. Officers also found perfumes suspected to be those belonging to the priest.

The decomposed body of 39-year-old Pastor Hamilton Bafana Zulu was found in the Glencoe area on Tuesday. The priest had been stabbed.

The fifth suspect was later arrested, and he was also linked to the murder and hijacking.

KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Mmamonnye Ngobeni said: “Our members are committed and dedicated in making sure that criminals do not get away with their criminal activities. I would also like to thank members of the community for working together with the police to make sure criminals face the law for their wrongdoings.”

– Caxton News Service