Durban — A man suspected of killing a Durban police sergeant made his first appearance in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The man, Nhlakanipho Maphumulo, 30, was arrested on Saturday by Hawks members from Durban Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit for murder and possession of a stolen motor vehicle in Mayville, Durban.
KwaZulu-Natal Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Sibu Ncane said that on November 4 last year, Sergeant Goba from the Durban K9 Unit was shot and killed at Quarry Road in Phantas Hill.
A case of murder was opened at Mayville police station and the case docket was allocated to the Hawks Durban Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit.
“On Saturday, August 3, two suspects aged between 30 and 39 were found driving a white Toyota Etios that was stolen.
“They were placed under arrest and charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
“Initial investigations revealed that the 30-year-old suspect is a wanted suspect in the case of Sergeant Goba’s murder,” Ncane said.
“He was further charged with murder.”
Ncane said Maphumulo will reappear in court on Tuesday, August 13, for a bail application.
When former police minister Bheki Cele released the third quarter crime statistics for the financial year 2023/24 (October 1 to December 31, 2023), he said “22 police officers were killed during this period, 10 were killed on duty while 12 were killed off-duty”.
“Our police officers were able to track down and apprehend 12 police killers during this period. Two police killers were sentenced and convicted to 4 life term imprisonment sentences.”
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