Ermelo – An ex-police officer and his four accomplices accused of the murder of senior policeman Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius have been remanded in custody by the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga.
The accused appeared in court on Monday, (20 January 2025).
The murder accused were identified as a 40-year-old former policeman Mthobisi Nkosi, 40-year-old Skhumbuzo Skhakhane, 36-year-old Valencia Skhosana, 35-year-old Aubrey Xaba, and 30-year-old Nyiko Mujovo.
Lieutenant Colonel Pretorius was stationed at Ermelo Police Station, where he was commander of the vehicle crime investigation unit.
Lieutenant Colonel Pretorius was shot while driving his state vehicle last week on Thursday afternoon, (16 January 2025).
“Lieutenant Colonel Pretorius sustained multiple gunshot wounds and later succumbed to his injuries in hospital,” said Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi.
“A BMW believed to have been used in the commission of crime was found burnt to ashes in Ermelo on Friday, (17 January 2025).”
The following day, (17 January 2024), the five suspects were traced and arrested in Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit).
RELATED: Fatal Shooting Of Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius: 5 Suspects To Appear In Court – The Bulrushes
Lieutenant Colonel Nkosi said the case against the five accused was postponed for further investigation to Monday, (27 January 2025).
