Johannesburg – Two members of the South African National Defence Forces have been arrested in connection with the murder of Lieutenant Colonel Frans Mathipa.
The suspects, aged 36 and 51 are expected to appear before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 23 June 2025, to face charges of murder and kidnapping.
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Singo said the two suspects were arrested on Sunday, 22 June 2025, at OR Tambo International Airport and in Centurion, Pretoria.
“The arrests are linked to the murder of Lieutenant Colonel Frans Mathipa, who was fatally shot while driving on the N1 highway, near Hammanskraal, on 6 August 2023,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Singo.
Following the shooting, his vehicle lost control and veered into a ditch.
Lieutenant Colonel Mathipa, who was attached to the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State section within the Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Gauteng, was investigating a crime at the time of his death.
During the operation, police also seized a vehicle belonging to the 36-year-old suspect.
Lieutenant Colonel Singo said the vehicle was used in the kidnapping of two foreign nationals at a mall in Midrand on 29 December 2022.
The vehicle has been impounded for further forensic investigation.
