KaBokweni – Police are looking for Blessing Fakude in connection with the fatal shooting of 44-year-old police officer, Captain Sibusiso Mthombothi.
A warrant of arrest has been issued for Fakude for the murder of Captain Mthombothi, who was gunned down at a carwash in KaNyamazane, near Mbombela, Mpumalanga, in January this year.
Allegations are that a shootout occurred after a heated argument when 35-year-old Jacky Sibusiso Ntiwane, also known as Maseko, crashed his vehicle into the car of Captain Mthombothi.
After the fatal shooting, the 35-year-old Ntiwane disappeared.
He was arrested at his hideout in Barberton, near Mbombela last month, on 20 March 2024.
Ntiwane has since been kept in custody. He has since abandoned his bail request.
Ntiwane, the first murder accused, will again appear in the KaBokweni Magistrate’s Court on 10 May 2024.
Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi said investigations had identified Fukude as Ntiwane’s alleged accomplice in the murder of the police officer.
“The Kabokweni Magistrate’s Court had on Monday, 22 April 2024, issued a warrant of arrest for fugitive, Blessing Fakude, who participated in the murder of an off-duty police officer, the late Captain Sibusiso Mthombothi, on 13 January 2024,” said Captain Sekgotodi.
Police were now looking for Fakude.
Captain Sekgotodi added: “The provincial head of the Hawks Major General Nicholas Jacobus Gerber is urging Fakude to come forward and is also appealing to the community for information regarding the whereabouts of Fakude”.
Anyone with information about Fakude’s whereabouts is requested to contact Detective Captain Mduduzi Comfort Mkhonza at 082 304 0052 or Detective Lieutenant Colonel Erhard Stroh at 082 300 8315.