Police have made a breakthrough in the murder of a Mpumalanga cop who was killed in January. The Hawks in Nelspruit launched a manhunt for the suspect after he allegedly shot dead the police captain at a car wash in KaNyamazane township.
Captain Sibusiso Bethwell Mthombothi was shot dead at a car wash in KaNyamazane
It is alleged that the two had an argument after the suspect bumped into the cop's car at the car wash. Captain Sibusiso Bethwell Mthombothi (44) had taken his private car to a car wash in KaNyamazane accompanied by a junior colleague who is a police sergeant. While Mthombothi's car was parked waiting to be washed, the suspect bumped into it and the two got into an argument. It is alleged that the matter was discussed amongst the two with the assistance of a police sergeant, who was with the deceased. An agreement was made for payment of R5 000 for the repairs of the damages. It is further alleged that the police sergeant and the captain drove the suspect's car to the captain's home pending the payment as agreed. It's alleged that when the police captain returned to the car wash to collect his car, he found the same man who had bumped his car and an argument over the suspect's car ensued. According to witnesses at the time, it was alleged that during the argument the suspect took out a firearm and shot the cop who died on the scene. After the fatal shooting, the suspect fled the scene and went into hiding.
Mpumalanga provincial police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli confirmed the arrest. "The male suspect was arrested at KaBokweni in the early hours of Wednesday 20 March by the Mpumalanga Provincial Tracking team, Crime Intelligence (CI) and Tactical Response Team (TRT)," Mdhluli said. He added that after the shooting, the police launched a manhunt for the suspect. Mdhluli said the police efforts in tracing the suspect proved to have not been a waste of time as it yielded positive results. "Police received information from members of the public regarding his whereabouts and an intelligence driven operation was conducted and the information was followed by the team, which led to the suspect being cornered whilst hiding inside a certain house in Sifunindlela at Kabokweni, outside Nelspruit," he said, adding that the suspect is expected to appear at Pienaar Periodical Court today. The suspect is currently facing a murder charge, however, the police said more charges could be added against the him as the investigation continues.
