We are taught to trust the police. They are here to help us…

But a former Ladysmith police officer has been arrested for allegedly killing indiscriminately as a taxi hit-man and was directly linked to the notorious ‘October 11 Massacre’ which left 15 people dead! This makes you question just how safe you are when police are around!

Local police have been left reeling as a former Ladysmith police officer is facing charges of murder linked to the ‘October 11 Massacre’ which left 15 dead.

29-year-old Constable Lungisani Arnold Mgaga worked at Ladysmith SAPS before taking a transfer to Johannesburg.

It is believed the officer was a long-time assassin and hit-man for hire in the ongoing Mabaso/Gamede taxi war.

Earlier this year, 30-year-old hit-man Themba Raphael Mvelase was found guilty and sentenced for the ‘October 11 Massacre’ killings. Police were aware, however, that he had not operated alone.

Mvelase, known to many as “Kiniti”, was found guilty of 12 cases that included murder, attempted murder and malicious damage to property.

Mvelase killed the owner of a Mercedes-Benz, Mrs Thembekwayo Dlamini, who was accompanied by her family in October 2014. She was driving in a car similar to one owned by the hit-man’s target and he mistakenly opened fire on it, riddling it with bullets. The driver was killed and other occupants of the car sustained injuries, including Mr Eugene Hlumka, Thabo Hlomuka, Sizwe Thembekwayo and Miss Hlengiwe Hlomuka.

More than 30 rounds hit the car, and the deceased died on the spot.

A taxi travelling along the road when the gunmen opened fire lost control and collided with an oncoming truck, killing a further eight people, including a three-year-old child.

“Kiniti” admitted in court that the victim was mistakenly shot because the hit-man thought they were taxi owners targeted to be killed. The hit-men were heard saying “We shot at the wrong people” before they fled the scene.

It was reported in the Ladysmith Gazette that he was heard saying “sorry”.

Also read: Taxi hitman found guilty

The same day, a second shooting was reported in Ezakheni D-Section at a car wash.  It is believed “Kiniti”, together with his accomplice Constable Mgaga, made their way to the car wash and opened fire, killing five people: Mr Sipho Mvelase, Osborne Mathebula, Sfundo Dlamini, Mlungisi Dlamini and Mr Sakhile Dlamini.

During the intensive investigation by local police, the National Intervention Unit (NIU) and Taxi Violence Unit (Durban), officers arrested Mgaga for the murders at the car wash.

In a separate incident, Mgaga also faces a murder case which took place in Bergville.

It is believed the officer was paid to kill a taxi driver in Bergville.

However, the wrong person was shot.

Mgaga has been held in custody since his arrest, facing a number of murder cases.

In the interim, Mgaga is attempting to get bail for the murder case in Bergville. Last week Thursday, he made an appearance in the Bergville Magistrate’s Court for a bail application. The case was postponed to today.

Also Read: MEC welcomes arrest of hitman

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