Three of the ten suspects, Siyabonga Duba (31), Njabulo Zwane (27), and Vusi Shabalala (43), appeared for their bail application judgment where they were all denied bail.

The trio was remanded in custody for further investigation. They joined their five co-accused, Mthobisi Nkosi (40), Aubrey Xaba (35), Skhumbuzo Skhakhane (40), Nyiko Mujovo (30), and Gift Mdluli (34) who all abandoned their bail applications. Valencia Skhosana (36) was denied bail earlier this year, and Phepheni Duba (37) was granted R10 000 bail. 

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

The 10 suspects face charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of an unlicensed assault rifle (AK 47) with ammunition and defeating the ends of justice. 

On 16 January 2025, the suspects allegedly had a common purpose to murder Ermelo Vehicle Investigation Unit commander, Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius , concealed the murder weapon and burnt the vehicle believed to have been used in the commission of crime. The first five suspects were arrested in Mbombela by the Hawks Secunda based Serious Organised Crime Investigation in less than 12 hours after the incident. 

All ten suspects are expected to appear in court on August 14, 2025.

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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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The suspects has been on the run since the murder of Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius. Meanwhile, the Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation is pleading with the community to assist in tracking Mdluli’s whereabouts.

READ | Ermelo cop murder suspects remain behind bars

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.

The post Suspect on the run for murder appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

Circumstances surrounding the incident are still sketchy at this stage and more details will be shared at a later stage. It is reported that Lieutenant Colonel Pretorius was driving in an official vehicle when he was shot. The vehicle was riddled with bullet holes. After the shooting, the assailant allegedly got into a white sedan and fled the scene.

Police say a team of investigators have been assembled to probe this incident. Meanwhile a 72-hour-Plan has been activated in response to the incident.

READ | Kosi Thugwana shot dead in Tweefontein

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS , Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi has called on communities to rally behind the Police and be patriotic by sharing valuable information relating to the gruesome murder of the Police Commander.

Police urge anyone with information that may assist in apprehending the suspect(s) to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.

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