National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola announced that one suspect had been apprehended, and the police are hot on the heels of those still on the run. He said this during his visit to the slain officer’s family on Sunday, August 10, 2025.

Sergeant Mtshweni was fatally shot while responding to a business burglary at a local supermarket in Schoemansdal, in the early hours of the morning on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Unfortunately, the police officer succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment in hospital later that day.

“We have arrested one suspect in the killing of Sergeant Mtshweni, and we are hot on the heels of those who are still on the run,” General Masemola said.

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“We are quite confident we’ll find them. We are definitely confident that we have got the right person, and we know who we are looking for, it’s just a matter of finding them.”

The national police commissioner further disclosed that the perpetrators, estimated to be between seven to 10 individuals, appeared to be familiar with firearms, given the precise shots fired at Sergeant Mtshweni’s upper body.
Additionally, he reported that SAPS had suffered the loss of three officers in the line of duty within the past 24 hours. Despite this, General Masemola assured the public that the police would continue to respond to threats with proportional force in their pursuit of justice.

As such, the national commissioner led a delegation of high-ranking officials that included the deputy national commissioner for policing, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, Mpumalanga police acting provincial commissioner Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Jackie Macie, and Ehlanzeni police district commissioner, Major General Dorah Xaba, to visit the crime scene and the slain officer’s family to pay their respects and pledge the police’s unwavering efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.

During the visit, MEC Macie reaffirmed the police’s commitment to bringing the suspects to justice.

“We want them, whether they’re alive or dead. It’s good that we now have a breakthrough in the case and a direction to follow. Unfortunately, incidents like these are part of our duty. However, what brings us comfort is knowing Sergeant Mtshweni was serving in his uniform when he lost his life. This reflects his dedication, and we extend our condolences to his family and loved ones.”

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A multidisciplinary team, including crime intelligence operatives, detectives, and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), is working around the clock to track down the remaining suspects.

The SAPS has offered a reward of R150 000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the perpetrators. Anyone with information that may assist in the investigation is requested to call the Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or send information via the MySAPS app.

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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.

READ Police commander shot dead

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.

READ | Ermelo cop murder suspects remain behind bars

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.

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This is after four of the five suspects, Mthobisi Nkosi, Aubrey Xaba, Skhumbuzo Skhakhane and Nyiko Mujovo abandoned their bail application on Tuesday, February 18.

They appeared in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court with the fifth suspect, Valencia Skhosana who proceeded with her bail application but was also remanded in custody.

READ | Police commander shot dead

Their arrest came a few hours after the murder was committed in the early hours of January 17. After their first court appearance, more evidence was brought forward.

READ | More evidence brought forward in police commander’s murder case

They are facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm as well as defeating the ends of justice.

Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber, said the postponement will allow the investigation team to obtain further evidence and bring the matter to a speedy trial.

They are expected to appear in court on April 10, 2025.

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According to reports, the 30 year old farmer collects expired food from chain stores and other distributors under the auspices of feeding such food to his domestic animals. 

When the team comprising of the Hawks and Govan Mbeki Local Municipality Health Inspectors visited the farm, they were shocked when two warehouses were found with four cold rooms filled with expired canned products, rotten red meat, and chicken meat.

About 1000 crates were found fully loaded with expired dairy products, including cheese. A truck, fitted with a coldroom, two light delivery vehicles, one loaded with meat, and an empty LDV were also found. An intense investigation will be conducted on the vehicles.

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A total of seven freezers were found in the warehouses with repackaged wheat, flower, and maize meal. Equipment used for vacuuming, scales, and plastic sealers was found on the scene. The recovered items include stickers and pricing machines, which are believed to be used during repackaging.

“It is a massive blow to the packager as these products were destined for unsuspecting end users. Food so packaged poses a huge risk to communities,” said the Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber.

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Their arrest follows an investigation conducted by the Hawks Mpumalanga based Serious Corruption Investigation in collaboration with the National Road Traffic Management Corporation.

This is in relation to drivers licence testing examiners colluding with driving school owners to issue learners and drivers licences to applicants without following due processes by not conducting routine tests and assisting the applicants when they write learners licences.

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In 2021 the Directorate For Priority Crime Investigation established the Kwanele Operation and investigations commenced. Warrant of arrests were authorised and executed at different testing stations simultaneously. The suspects were arrested, charged and some made their first appearances. Others were remanded in custody pending their appearances in court today.

It is alleged that applicants were assisted or given answers by the examiners who were working with driving school owners to facilitate the exercise. Driver’s licences were allegedly issued to applicants without being tested after paying exorbitant amounts of cash.

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