Nine out of 10 suspects that are allegedly involved in Vehicle Investigation Unit commander, Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius’s murder were remanded in custody.
They appeared in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on Thursday where their case was postponed for further investigation.
All five suspects that were arrested in Mbombela on January 17, 2025 are expected back in court on June 25. This includes a former police official Mthobisi Nkosi (40), Aubrey Xaba (35), Skhumbuzo Skhakhane (40) Nyiko Mujovo (30) and Valencia Skhosana (35) and fugitive, Prince Gift Mdluli that was arrested in Komatipoort last month.
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Four more suspects were arrested on March 16, 2025 in Ermelo after an intense investigation was conducted. Three out of the four suspects, Vusi Shabalala (43), Njabulo Zwane (26), and Percy Duba (30), will reappear before Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on 17 April 2025 for bail application. The fourth suspect, Phetheni Duba (37), is currently out on bail. She is expected to join her co-accused in court on June 25, 2025.
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The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Nico Gerber said the postponement will allow the investigating team to consolidate all necessary information so that justice is served.
