By OBAKENG MAJE
Two Mozambique nationals aged 36 and 33 were arrested for kidnapping and murder. The duo was in Lenasia in Gauteng and Potchefstroom in North West on 16 and 17 March 2024 respectively.
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said, they were arrested by an investigation and tracing team composed of Ikageng Detectives and Klerksdorp Tactical Response Team (TRT).
Mokgwabone said the first suspect aged 36, was arrested in connection with the murder of Nomakephu Thoma (31), who was initially reported missing by a family member on 27 February 2024. He further said, Thoma was taken by her ex-boyfriend, who later sent messages to the family to demand ransom.
“The investigation team pieced information together and through other investigative aids, it traced the first suspect to Lenasia, where he was finally arrested.
“The suspect admitted to being responsible for the victim’s murder and took the police to the scene between Ikageng Extension 7 and Promosa, where the victim’s body was allegedly burnt by a person he hired,” he said.
Mokgwabone added that a further probe into the matter led to the arrest of the second suspect in the early hours of Sunday morning at an informal settlement, commonly known as Hashtags, outside Ikageng Township, in Potchefstroom. He said both suspects are expected to appear before the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on 19 March 2024.
“The possibility of more charges including Contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002, being added cannot be ruled out,” said Mokgwabone.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded the team members for their commitment that resulted in the arrest of the suspects. Kwena also pointed out that the arrest will without a doubt send a warning that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a real threat, especially to women and children.
“Those who perpetrate it, will be shown no mercy,” he said.
The Guardian 