New evidence presented to the court in the Luke Fleurs murder and hijacking case horrified those in attendance.
The evidence was presented in a statement when the six accused, Ndumiso Mswane (26), Fernando Sive (25), Nhlakanipho Dlamini (21), Franky Xaba (25), Maredi Mphahlele (36), and Thembinkosi Hlomikhawu (31) made another appearance in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on May 2.
Fleurs (24), at the peak of his career, was shot before his car was hijacked at a petrol station in Constantia Kloof on April 3.
According to Prosecutor Paseka Temeki, a statement was brought forward by the investigating officer Nare Moloto.
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Moloto, in his statement, said that during his investigation, he discovered that numerous hijackings occurred around the Roodepoort area. During one of his investigations, he uncovered a hijacked vehicle that had been recovered in Kagiso and requested assistance from the Kagiso police, as well as its neighbouring stations.
He stated that evidence was captured on CCTV footage of Fleurs’ hijacking and murder. The tracker signal in Fleurs’ vehicle was also lost near a shopping centre in Horizon View after the suspects used a tracker jammer or removed the tracking unit from the vehicle.
Moloto adds that numerous social media posts on the Kaizer Chiefs player’s death sparked people’s interest and later became an advantage in his investigation.
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“On April 7 an informer called and reported to the police that suspects were seen driving a red VW Polo GTI without a registration plate in Skoonplaas. Another call was received on April 8 saying suspects were seen driving the hijacked vehicle and entering a yard in Slovoville, Soweto. According to the resident who owns property in Slovoville, suspects were seen pushing a dilapidated vehicle out of the way to make parking space for the hijacked vehicle and thereafter pushing it behind the dilapidated vehicle to hide it.
“The very same resident informed the police that the person who requested the parking space is Ndumiso Mswane, accused one, in return for a fee or favour.”
Xaba (accused four) allegedly received a message from an unknown individual who instructed Xaba to confess to the crime, and if Xaba refused, other members’ involvement would be revealed.
“This brought light to the investigation for suspects who are possibly involved in a syndicate and who are still at large,” Moloto said.
• Also read: Suspects arrested in Fleurs murder and hijacking case make court appearance
Moloto’s statement revealed that Xaba was previously convicted for possession of stolen goods (car parts) in Doornkop in February. Hlomikhawu (accused six) was found guilty in 2011 and 2014 for housebreaking and malicious damage to property.
After a brief interval, a statement from Moloto was brought forward that Sive (accused two) is originally from Mozambique and is currently residing in South Africa illegally. His temporary permit expired on February 6, 2020.
In a witness statement read aloud to the court, it is alleged that Sive claimed he bought the hijacked vehicle from Mphahlele and Hlomikhawu (accused five and six) for R20 000. The witness confirmed the car was bought at the very same address in Slovoville for stripping.
The National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, indicated that additional individuals may be implicated, as the investigation into Fleurs’ murder progresses.
The case was therefore postponed to May 7 for further investigation.
