FOUR SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR KIDNAPPING AND MURDER AT RITAVI APPEARED BEFORE COURT

Four suspects, Clydon Maswanganyi (27), Velly Malatjie (50), Given Mhlongo (35) and Maria Maswanganyi (42) arrested in Ritavi policing area for kidnapping and murder, appeared before Nkowankowa Magistrate’s Court, on 09 November 2023.

They were remanded in custody and will appeared again on 16 November 2023 for further Police investigations.

Allegedly, on Sunday, 05 November 2023 at around 18:10, the suspects kidnapped the victim, aged 27, from his home in Lusaka village. The incident was reported to the police, and they immediately commenced with the investigation.

On Tuesday, 07 November 2023, Police received leads about the involved suspects, and one of them was arrested. He then revealed the whereabouts of the victim and his two accomplices.

Police went to the said address and found the victim buried in a shallow grave in the bushes along R36 to Enable village. Emergency personnel were also summoned to the scene. He was identified by his family as Doctor Hlugwani (27).

Preliminary investigations found that the suspects accused the deceased of committing burglary at their house and stealing their properties on Wednesday 01 November 2023.

A female suspect was also linked to the case and arrested. More arrests are expected.

The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has acknowledged the investigating team for ensuring that the suspects are arrested.

The police investigations are still ongoing.