By OBAKENG MAJE
Five suspects who were arrested for the double murder of policemen are expected to appear at Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on Friday. The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Capt Tlangelani Rikhotso said the suspects were arrested during the early hours of Wednesday in Logageng village near Mahikeng by a multi-disciplinary team consisting of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Detective service, Tactical Response Team and members of the Local Criminal Records, for the alleged murders of Constable Simon Ngakaemang Ntsekeletsa (50) and Sergeant Mojalefa Horatius Molete (42), who were stationed at Mareetsane Police Station.
“It is alleged that on 26 July 2021 around 9pm, the two police officers were on patrol duties with a state vehicle when they came across a vehicle loaded with suspected stolen goats.
“The police officers reported the incident to the commander and mentioned that they would be bringing the suspect’s vehicle to the police station soon. About an hour later, the police reported that they were not far from the police station,” Rikhotso said.
She said, however, Molete and Ntsekeletsa never arrived at the police station and they could not be reached on both their cellphones and the police radio. Rikhotso further said a manhunt for the police officers was immediately launched.
“On 27 July 2021, the police were alerted by community members of bloodstains on the road leading to the police station. When the scene was visited, a knife and a police badge belonging to one of the deceased were found and the second badge was found near Mareetsane road.
“Further investigations led the team to a burnt state vehicle in Mosita village near Ganyesa, wherein the bodies of the deceased police officers were discovered. The team followed all the leads and worked tirelessly until they traced and arrested the five suspects who were allegedly found in possession of a 9mm pistol, which was taken from the slain police officers,” she said.
According to Rikhotso, a hammer, clothing with suspected blood stains and a vehicle has been seized for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the National Head of the Hawks, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya condemned the acts of the perpetrators and applauded the joint team for the swift arrest and recovery of the police firearm.
Lebeya: “We would like to express our deepest condolences to the families. We certainly hope that the families of our fallen police officers would find comfort in the arrest of suspects and look forward to the successful prosecution of these criminal acts.
“An attack on the police is an attack on the state and this is why we will leave no stone unturned. We will utilise all resources at our disposal to ensure those who commit such heinous acts against our officers in blue are found and face the full might of the law.”
The suspects were charged with two counts of murder, malicious damage to property, and possession of a stolen firearm.
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