The Hawks have arrested two police detectives with alleged links to a string of criminal activities, including the murders of two businessmen from the King William’s Town area.
The two, who were arrested last week, are also believed to be involved in the bombing of the Dimbaza Post Office where cash was stolen, various other business robberies, fuel card fraud and gun smuggling. They allegedly used their police uniforms to carry out some of the crimes.
The constables, who are due for a second appearance in court tomorrow, have been identified as Mputumi Matomele and Xolisa Madoli.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch last week a police source said the case had shocked provincial police bosses. They had been “monitoring” Dimbaza police station, where the constables worked, after a string of thefts had taken place.
Contacted for comment, provincial police referred the Daily Dispatch to the Hawks national office.
Hawks national spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed the arrests.
“We can confirm that we have arrested two police officers who were allegedly involved in a string of criminal activities including two murders and fraud,” said Mulaudzi.
The two detective constables were arrested late last week.
One was arrested while at work in Dimbaza while the second was arrested while attending a police course in Port Elizabeth.
They made a brief appearance in the Dimbaza Magistrate’s Court last week and their case was postponed until tomorrow.
In July last year Dimbaza businessman Fikile Jilaji was killed in front of his wife by armed robbers who demanded money from his loan business.
The two detectives are alleged to have conspired with criminals in that murder case.
The two are also alleged to have links to the murder of a prominent businessman from Mngqesha who was killed in 2014.
Both murders are being investigated by the Hawks.
Other cases the two are accused of being involved in include business robberies and various acts of fraud in Dimbaza.
It is also alleged that a government fuel card for a Nissan Livina belonging to the police was used to buy fuel that was later sold for cash. The vehicle is attached to the Dimbaza detectives unit.
A police source close to the probe said police uniforms were also used in some of the crimes.
“Other allegations were that these members used police uniforms, firearms and state vehicles to commit these crimes.
“You will remember the same station lost firearms recently,” he said.
“The recent bombing of a local Dimbaza Post Office is also linked to them, the Hawks are also investigating them for that.”
Mulaudzi would not be drawn into commenting on how much money was involved in these alleged crimes. “The investigating team is still continuing with their investigations,” he said.
In 2012 a police officer from the same station was arrested after dozens of police firearms were allegedly stolen from a safe in the station commander’s office.
Last year office equipment worth R150000 was reported stolen from the same station. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Cops linked to spate of crimes in EC
The two, who were arrested last week, are also believed to be involved in the bombing of the Dimbaza Post Office where cash was stolen, various other business robberies, fuel card fraud and gun smuggling. They allegedly used their police uniforms to carry out some of the crimes.
The constables, who are due for a second appearance in court tomorrow, have been identified as Mputumi Matomele and Xolisa Madoli.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch last week a police source said the case had shocked provincial police bosses. They had been “monitoring” Dimbaza police station, where the constables worked, after a string of thefts had taken place.
Contacted for comment, provincial police referred the Daily Dispatch to the Hawks national office.
Hawks national spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed the arrests.
“We can confirm that we have arrested two police officers who were allegedly involved in a string of criminal activities including two murders and fraud,” said Mulaudzi.
The two detective constables were arrested late last week.
One was arrested while at work in Dimbaza while the second was arrested while attending a police course in Port Elizabeth.
They made a brief appearance in the Dimbaza Magistrate’s Court last week and their case was postponed until tomorrow.
In July last year Dimbaza businessman Fikile Jilaji was killed in front of his wife by armed robbers who demanded money from his loan business.
The two detectives are alleged to have conspired with criminals in that murder case.
The two are also alleged to have links to the murder of a prominent businessman from Mngqesha who was killed in 2014.
Both murders are being investigated by the Hawks.
Other cases the two are accused of being involved in include business robberies and various acts of fraud in Dimbaza.
It is also alleged that a government fuel card for a Nissan Livina belonging to the police was used to buy fuel that was later sold for cash. The vehicle is attached to the Dimbaza detectives unit.
A police source close to the probe said police uniforms were also used in some of the crimes.
“Other allegations were that these members used police uniforms, firearms and state vehicles to commit these crimes.
“You will remember the same station lost firearms recently,” he said.
“The recent bombing of a local Dimbaza Post Office is also linked to them, the Hawks are also investigating them for that.”
Mulaudzi would not be drawn into commenting on how much money was involved in these alleged crimes. “The investigating team is still continuing with their investigations,” he said.
In 2012 a police officer from the same station was arrested after dozens of police firearms were allegedly stolen from a safe in the station commander’s office.
Last year office equipment worth R150000 was reported stolen from the same station. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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