Four men accused of murdering a policeman and injuring another after a foiled diesel theft attempt in Middelburg, Mpumalanga will apply for bail in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court today.

TPaulio Ticha Quembo (33), Nelson Mudavahu (33), Lawrence Simango (34), and Denis Spencer Chipenza (35) face charges of robbery, attempted murder, and murder. Three of the accused are Mozambican nationals while one is from Zimbabwe.

According to the initial statement by the Hawks, the two officers followed a yellow diesel tanker along the R555 (Stoffberg Road) outside Middelburg. After the tanker came to a halt and the policemen approached it, the occupants opened fire.

It is alleged that they shot and killed Detective Sergeant Simon Mbonani and inflicted serious injuries on Sergeant Sthembiso Magubane.

The outcome of the bail application was not known at the time of publishing.