The police in Polokwane have arrested a man believed to be the prime suspect in the brutal killing of his fellow countrymen. Tumelo Motlaitlai (25)was linked to the killing of the five men suspected of being illegal miners in the Capricorn District last year. 

KILLED AT AN ABANDONED MINE

The bodies of the five men were found at different spots in the bushes on the Roodepoort farm on 30 September last year. The men were allegedly operating in the area. At the time, Limpopo police spokesperson Motlafela Mojapelo said on arrival on the said farm, the police found the body of a man lying next to the pathway. He was later identified as a 37-year-old man from Lesotho. Three more bodies were found in the area next to the illegal mining site and it appeared that they were shot at whilst fleeing from the attackers. They were all identified as Lesotho nationals. The fifth victim's body was discovered a few metres from the others two days later.

ARRESTED WITH ACCOMPLICES

Motlaitlai was arrested together with his accomplices aged between 26 and 34 on Tuesday, 20 June 2023 at Afcolaco filling station under Maake policing precinc,t outside Tzaneen. Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the suspects were found in possession of unlicensed firearms and a large quantity of ammunition and were heading to Mpumalanga in a white Toyota bakkie. "The suspect who originate from Lesotho identified as Motlaitlai, Joseph Mohape (34), Tebogo Makutwana (26), Barnard Sesioana (32) and one South African, Nelson Mavela aged 32 have already appeared before the Naphuno Magistrate court on Thursday and were remanded in police custody. Their case was postponed to 29 June 2023 for further police investigations and bail application." Ledwaba said.

IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY

Ledwaba said it was discovered that Motlaitlai, is in the country illegally. "Motlaitlai appeared before the Polokwane Magistrates' Court on Friday facing charges of murder yesterday and he abandoned his bail application and his case was postponed to 16 August 2023 for further police investigation," he added. Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe hailed the outstanding work done by the men and women in blue after apprehending and also managing to link a Motlaitlai to last year's murders.