Mkhuhlu – The man accused of robbing and fatally shooting a police constable remains behind bars, while police search for his accomplice.
The accused, 25-year-old Tumelo Kgoedi, was remanded in custody when he appeared in the Mkhuhlu Magistrate’s Court outside Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga.
Earlier this week, on Monday, the matter of the murder of 29-year-old Constable Khulani Chabangu was revisited.
The dedicated constable responded to a robbery incident at a local hair salon, where he was held at gunpoint.
The constable was later robbed of his car, clothing, and shot dead in Lyllidale, near Culcatta, around Bushbuckridge.
The murder occurred at the end of last month (May 2025).
Hawks Mpumalanga spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said their investigations led to the arrest of Kgoedi.
Lieutenant Colonel Nkosi said the suspect was found in possession of a mobile phone believed to have disappeared during the robbery and murder incident.
“The Hawks Nelspruit-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation led a joint operation that resulted in the arrest of a 25-year-old suspect linked to the murder of a police officer in Lillydale, Calcutta on 30 May 2025,” said Lieutenant Colonel Nkosi.
“The police official was gunned down during a business robbery in the local salon, where money and cellphones were robbed at gunpoint.
“The police constable was robbed of his clothes and vehicle before he was fatally shot in his upper body.
“The team managed to corner a 25-year-old suspect on one of the streets. He was found in possession of two cellphones.
“It is alleged that one of the cellphones was robbed during the robbery and murder of the police official.”
Lieutenant Colonel Nkosi said they were still searching for another suspect linked to the murder of the constable.
“Further investigation was conducted that led the team to the suspect’s friend’s house,” Lieutenant Colonel Nkosi said.
“On seeing the police, the suspect’s friend, who managed to evade arrest and vanished within the residential area.
“A search was conducted in the house whereby a handgun with serial numbers filled out and four live ammunition rounds were found,” Nkosi said.
The matter will be back in court next week on Tuesday, (17 June 2025).
