BETHAL – Four business robbery suspect linked to the murder of Sasol employee were arrested.
They were apprehended in Standerton during a business robbery.
Upon investigation police established that the car that the suspects were driving in was hijacked in eMzinoni from a Sasol employee who was shot in the leg and a colleague was shot dead.
According to the police, the Sasol employees were coming from a tavern when they were attacked by the alleged suspects.
The suspects are facing murder, attempted murder, business robbery and hijacking charges.
Const Cynthia Mtshweni, police spokesman, said a firearm was confiscated.
“We sent the firearm to forensics in order to establish whether it was used to commit other crimes.
“This is a breakthrough and we believe it will put an end to the recent violence.”
Const Mtshweni said police are investigating whether the suspects are linked to the Amcu strike.
“It is too soon to jump to conclusions, but what I can say for sure is that the suspects have told the police that they were hired to do the shooting.”
Violence, malicious damage of property and assault have increased since the Amcu protest began in August.
Sasol workers who are members of Amcu downed tools in August after Amcu and Sasol were unable to reach an agreement over a wage dispute.
Amcu rejected Sasol’s offer of seven per cent and said it was not enough and was unfair to the workers.
Sasol sent messages to protesting Amcu members in which they urged them to return to work and that it has invoked the legal rights of the protest, as prescribed by the Labour Relations Act, to bring an end to the strike from 12 October.
However Amcu members vowed not to return to work until Sasol has met their needs.
The suspects appeared in Standerton Magistrate’s Court and were denied bail.
They are expected to appear in Bethal Magistrate’s Court soon.
