Umzinto muthi murder investigators and officers commended for good work
The culprits were all sentenced to life imprisonment.
Policemen from Ugu Cluster were recognised for their hard work and dedication in bringing justice to the victim of a man who was beheaded.
Nawaaz Khan of Gandhinagar, Umzinto, went missing in 2015. The matter was reported to the police a week later and assigned to Warrant Officer Mervyn Moonsamy.
All attempts to track Mr Khan’s phone proved futile as the cellphone was switched off. Turning to trustworthy sources for any possible information, police were informed some time later that Mr Khan had last been seen with his friend Thando Duma the day he disappeared.
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Duma was tracked down the very same day in Gandhinagar and questioned about his whereabouts and association with Mr Khan on the day.
“He first denied any knowledge of Mr Khan’s whereabouts but after lengthy questioning it was established that he was with the missing man on the day, along with a certain Maakaplan Mchunu, in a forest where an argument ensued,” said Port Shepstone Saps communications officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid.
Police were then taken to the forest where the argument had taken place and a search for a possible body began at 5.30pm that afternoon.
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That evening, the decomposing remains of Mr Khan were found but, the head was missing. Duma was again questioned about the matter and, a few hours later, he revealed the whereabouts of the deceased’s head.
More investigations followed and, two days later, Mchunu was arrested in Msholozi, Umzinto, by the W/O Moonsamy, Sergeant Blessing Ngcobo and Constable Erasmus Mbutho. Mchunu’s confession let to the police finding the head in a sugarcane field.
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“Further investigations led policemen to a third suspect, who later turned state witness, and the body and head of yet another murder victim were also pointed out,” said Lt-Col Wiid.
It was then established that the heads were used for muthi. The suspects were charged and stood trial in the Pietermaritzburg High Court during February last year.
“The stiff sentences of three times life imprisonment and 35 years imprisonment for murder, kidnapping, theft and assault received by the accused, is testimony of the members’ dedication and good investigation,” added Lt-Col Wiid.
These policemen recently received commendation certificates for their job well done – some certificates from the Minister of Police, with others from the National Commissioner of Police.
They were presented with these certificates by the Ugu Cluster commander, Major-General Sethenya Nxamagele, who thanked them for working long hours and often under difficult and dangerous circumstances to ensure that lives were saved and criminals kept behind bars.
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