KWAZULU-NATAL – Hawks members from Pietermaritzburg’s Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit arrested Thandolwami Shezi, 18, and Nhlakanipho Mabaso, 20, on Sunday, 29 October 2023. The arrests pertain to the murder of Warrant Officer Mfundo Khumalo, 35, who was fatally shot at his residence in Imbali Township, Pietermaritzburg.

According to South Africa Police Service, on 09 March 2022, Khumalo, who was stationed at the Local Criminal Record Centre, was off-duty when two individuals entered his home. The intruders demanded cell phones and cash at gunpoint. During the ensuing scuffle, Khumalo was shot and later declared dead at a clinic. The suspects fled the scene with a cell phone and a laptop.

A case of house robbery and murder was initially reported at the Plessislaer police station. The case docket was then allocated to the Hawks members for an intensive investigation. Information about the suspects came to light yesterday, leading the authorities to question Shezi and Mabaso, who were already in custody for another house robbery.

The accused appeared briefly in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrates’ Court today and were remanded in custody. The case has been postponed to 14 November 2023.

Major General (Dr) Lesetja Senona, the Provincial Head of the KwaZulu-Natal Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, expressed approval of the arrests and commended the investigative team for their efforts.