An alleged hitman hired to kill a government spokesman and a medical doctor was this week arrested by police following several months’ investigation.
The hitman, who cannot be named until he make his court appearance scheduled for today, was arrested in Queenstown.
It is alleged the man was hired to kill Eastern Cape health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo and a medical doctor from the Chris Hani District, who cannot be named at this stage.
Kupelo started receiving threats earlier this year when the hitman is alleged to have called him saying he was sent to kill him.
Cambridge police spokesman Captain Mluleki Mbi confirmed the suspect had been arrested but declined to reveal more information.
“He was arrested as there are cases of intimidation and also where he allegedly threatened someone with death. In both cases he’s a suspect,” said Mbi.
Earlier this year Kupelo received text messages and phone calls from a person who told him that someone wanted him dead.
Kupelo initially didn’t take the threats seriously but as the messages and calls continued, he eventually went to the police.
This was after he received a text message telling him that the hitman was desperate to kill him, but was battling to track him down.
Contacted for comment yesterday, he confirmed receiving threats against his life but declined to comment further.
It is alleged the suspect approached the doctor saying he had been hired to kill him and the doctor would have to pay money to stop the contract from taking place.
The threats started in November last year and soon after the doctor hired private investigator Christian Botha who worked with police until the man was arrested this week.
Contacted yesterday, the doctor referred the Daily Dispatch to Botha.
“The suspect approached the doctor saying that he was sent to kill him and was given R80000 to do that,” said Botha.
“He asked the doctor to counter that by paying more money for him not to kill him. The doctor paid the money.”
Mbi said the suspect was expected to appear in East London Magistrate’s Court today. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Police nab alleged hitman
The hitman, who cannot be named until he make his court appearance scheduled for today, was arrested in Queenstown.
It is alleged the man was hired to kill Eastern Cape health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo and a medical doctor from the Chris Hani District, who cannot be named at this stage.
Kupelo started receiving threats earlier this year when the hitman is alleged to have called him saying he was sent to kill him.
Cambridge police spokesman Captain Mluleki Mbi confirmed the suspect had been arrested but declined to reveal more information.
“He was arrested as there are cases of intimidation and also where he allegedly threatened someone with death. In both cases he’s a suspect,” said Mbi.
Earlier this year Kupelo received text messages and phone calls from a person who told him that someone wanted him dead.
Kupelo initially didn’t take the threats seriously but as the messages and calls continued, he eventually went to the police.
This was after he received a text message telling him that the hitman was desperate to kill him, but was battling to track him down.
Contacted for comment yesterday, he confirmed receiving threats against his life but declined to comment further.
It is alleged the suspect approached the doctor saying he had been hired to kill him and the doctor would have to pay money to stop the contract from taking place.
The threats started in November last year and soon after the doctor hired private investigator Christian Botha who worked with police until the man was arrested this week.
Contacted yesterday, the doctor referred the Daily Dispatch to Botha.
“The suspect approached the doctor saying that he was sent to kill him and was given R80000 to do that,” said Botha.
“He asked the doctor to counter that by paying more money for him not to kill him. The doctor paid the money.”
Mbi said the suspect was expected to appear in East London Magistrate’s Court today. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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