The Evander Magistrate’s Court on November 27 granted bail of R2 000 each to five officers from the eMbalenhle Police Station arrested by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
The accused are constables Zanele Zondo, Ntsikelelo Mayataza and Sandile Zondo, reservist Simphiwe Maseko and Sergeant Zwelakhe Fodo.
They face several charges, including the alleged murder of Mkhapheli Mbatha, who died on October 2. It is alleged that the officers assaulted and tortured Mbatha during a drug search at his home in the Mandela Section of eMbalenhle.
The officers’ charges:
• Murder;
• Two counts of kidnapping;
• Three counts of common assault;
• One count of assault GBH;
• Defeating the ends of justice.
In delivering her bail ruling, the magistrate said the accused had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that they were suitable candidates for bail. She noted that they had co-operated fully with the IPID during their arrest and that neither the State nor the IPID opposed their release.
The officers were released on condition that they do not interfere with witnesses. All five have been suspended from the SAPS pending internal disciplinary processes. The court postponed their case to January 29 for further investigation.
Three officers involved in separate murder case
In a separate incident, constables Ina Mahlangu (34), Lucky Shabangu (35) and Musa Hlanze (32) were arrested on August 26 on charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice.
Their arrests followed what police initially described as the “mysterious death” of Phineas Mosima (33), who was involved in a car crash early on August 17 at Ext 26, eMbalenhle.
Mosima was taken to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival after the three officers had allegedly assaulted him with bricks.
The three were later granted R1 000 bail each, and their case was postponed to December 10.
Another officer arrested in firearm and theft case
Constable Gert Lebitsi (43), stationed at the eMbalenhle Police Station, was released on R4 000 bail on October 2 after being arrested by the Secunda Murder and Robbery Unit.
Lebitsi’s charges:
• Two counts of defeating the ends of justice;
• One count of theft;
• One count of unlawful possession of a firearm.
During cross-examination on September 30, investigating officer Sergeant Sabelo Zwane told the court that Lebitsi allegedly possessed an R5 rifle linked to the 2021 assassination of Kinross taxi boss Fani Khumalo (51). The rifle has not yet been recovered.
Khumalo was gunned down at his home in November 2021 while preparing his minibuses for the day. He was shot seven times in the chest by four armed men and died at the scene. Lebitsi’s case was postponed to January 20 next year for further investigation.
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Civilian shot
The IPID is also investigating a case of Robert Hlophe, allegedly shot by SAPS officers on July 6 in the Mandela Section. Hlophe was waiting to be collected for work when he noticed a SAPS van parked outside a nearby house. Moments later, he heard gunshots, but did not think they were directed at him.
It is alleged that one of the officers approached him, carrying a large firearm, and told him to walk with him to where the police van was parked.
Hlophe said he began to feel a sharp pain in his chest. When he touched it, he saw his hand covered in blood. That’s when he realised he had been shot.
According to Hlophe, upon reaching the van, the officer asked a nearby woman if he was the person they were looking for.
The woman reportedly said, “It’s not him.”
Growing concern over police conduct in eMbalenhle
Despite facing high crime levels, the eMbalenhle community is increasingly alarmed by the conduct of its police officers. This year alone, nine eMbalenhle Police Station members have been arrested, with several already suspended because they face internal disciplinary procedures and criminal charges in court.
eMbalenhle CPF chairperson Ace Vilakazi, always at the Evander Magistrate’s Court when officers facing criminal cases appear, said the reason for the police behaviour is poor station management.
“The working relationship between the station management and the CPF is not good because the station management does as they wish. The failure of leadership led to what is happening.
“Some of our police do as they wish. I still maintain that the Mpumalanga provincial police commissioner’s intervention is urgently needed before our station is left empty because the police will be in custody if this is not attended to,” said Vilakazi.
