THE five suspects linked to the murder of two Crime Intelligence officers applied for bail at the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on October 16.

A sixth suspect was shot dead during a shoot-out with police at Emaplasini in Inanda on September 25, while the other five were arrested during the operation.

Smangaliso Tembe, Mduduzi Myeza, Bongani Zulu, Wandile Nyawo and Sibusiso Sibisi face charges of conspiracy to commit robbery with aggravating circumstances, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, and unlawful possession of automatic firearms and ammunition.

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The accused are expected to be back in court for their bail hearing on October 30. Captain Louis Nel, from The Bluff, and Sergeant Mandla Khuzwayo were ambushed in Mount Edgecombe on April 30.

Following the killings, a prosecutorial-guided investigation was launched to identify those responsible for the murders.
In the early hours of September 25, an intelligence-led multidisciplinary operation was conducted, resulting in the arrests of five suspects in different parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the suspects were arrested in Pinetown, Amanzimtoti, Mandeni and Newlands West.

According to Netshiunda, the sixth suspect engaged police in a shoot-out from inside a house in Emaplasini. The police said the sixth suspect refused to obey police instructions and was shooting from inside the house for about three hours.

Netshiunda said negotiations went on until the suspect released his girlfriend who was inside the house.
“The suspect was eventually shot and fatally wounded during the operation and a Special Task Force officer was shot on the hand but is in good spirits after receiving first aid medical attention,” said Netshiunda.

At the funeral service of Nel, mourners described him as a respected member of KZN’s Crime Intelligence Unit and a veteran of the Special Task Force.

Nel was laid to rest on May 8, following a funeral service held at the Durban Christian Centre’s Jesus Dome.

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