Ermelo – Four suspects accused of killing a police officer have abandoned their bail application in Ermelo Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga.
The suspects include 40-year-old former police official Mthobisi Nkosi, 35-year-old Aubrey Xaba, 40-year-old Skhumbuzo Skhakhane, and 30-year-old Nyiko Mujovo appeared briefly in court on Tuesday, (18 February 2025).
However, a fifth suspect 36-year-old Valencia Skhosana proceeded with her bail application.
All five suspects have been linked to the gruesome murder of the Commander of the Ermelo Vehicle Investigation Unit, Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius in Ermelo on 16 January 2025.
The Hawks’ Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit arrested all five suspects in the early hours of 17 January 2025.
“The suspects were arrested in less than 12 hours after they allegedly conspired to commit murder, murder possession of unlicenced firearm and ammunition, as well as defeating the ends of justice,” said Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi.
The suspects previously appeared in the same court on 20 and 27 January 2025.
“Four of the suspects, Nkosi, Xaba, Skhakhane, and Mujovo, decided to abandon their bail application, and they were remanded in custody with the next court date scheduled for 10 April 2025,” said Lieutenant Colonel Nkosi.
“Skhosana proceeded with her bail application.
“She was also remanded in custody, and her bail application is scheduled to proceed on 27 February 2025.”
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation – better known as the Hawks – Mpumalanga head, Major General Nico Gerber, said the postponement will allow the investigation team to obtain further evidence.
