THE manhunt for the gang responsible for a spate of housebreakings in the Scottburgh area, the murder of Vincent Enslin, (32), a former Middelburg rugby player in December, and the most recent Pennington house robbery, ended last week.
Two weeks ago, police tracked down two of the men in a dramatic shoot-out where the gang leader, Thamsanqa Maluleka (25), was wounded and arrested in the rural areas of Hibberdene. A search for the fleeing man ensued.
Last Thursday, Warrant Officer Christo Mostert from Port Shepstone crime intelligence, assisted by detectives from Scottburgh, Law Enforcement officer Devlyn Abbott, and other police units followed up on information on the whereabouts of the wanted man and proceeded to a house in Chabane Ward, Hibberdene.
“A detective from Scottburgh went inside a room and was approached by the wanted man, Nathi Lushaba, who started attacking him,” said police spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid.
The detective sustained injuries to his arms, neck and chest. Lushaba was warned to stop his attack on the detective, but refused and warning shots were fired by a Tactical Response Team officer. He was shot and died on the scene.
A knife, a handgun and some stolen property were found in Lushaba’s possession.
Then last Saturday, the Scottburgh Cluster Detective Task Team received a tip-off as to the whereabouts of the remaining two men.
Teaming up with members of the Port Shepstone 10111 Highway Patrol, they proceeded to Stick Farm in Hibberdene where they arrested the men who were walking along a dirt road.
Both were wearing watches and one was wearing a cap that belonged to their victims.
The following day, a cellphone, various items of clothing and jewellery were recovered from a premises in Umzumbe.
Cluster commander, Major General Thembi Ndlovu commended all individuals involved in the breakthrough regarding the arrests.
