Africa-Press – South-Africa. A joint sting operation by law enforcement led to the arrest of five suspects for their alleged involvement in the killing of an off-duty Gauteng police sergeant, Siyabonga Enoch Shabalala.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Philani Nkwalase said in a statement the men, aged between 23 and 30, were arrested on Thursday after police pounced on them at their apparent hideout in Germiston.
Authorities launched a manhunt after Shabalala’s body was discovered by a passerby on an open field near the R103 Old Heidelberg Road.
Nkwalase said police recovered three firearms, including the Z88 pistol belonging to Shabalala.
He added Shabalala was last seen on Tuesday in Windmill Park. He was with his sister when they were approached by three armed men who allegedly pushed his sister out of the vehicle before opening fire on the police officer.
Nkwalase said the men drove away in Shabalala’s vehicle with him inside. The 38-year-old officer was stationed at the Hillbrow Community Service Centre.
He added police also arrested three suspects in Vooslorus on Wednesday on charges of possession of a hijacked vehicle and vehicle parts, as well as the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
They were allegedly found stripping the vehicle.
All eight suspects are expected to appear in Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
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