The Hawks in the Free State are looking for a Port Elizabeth man, Andile Gxamza, whom they believe allegedly murdered former Moroka Swallows 1970s midfielder Alfred “Chencha” Helepi, 70, in 2016.
Hawks national spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said investigating officers believed Gxamza, who has been on the run for two years, was hiding in the Eastern Cape.
Helepi, who became a tavern owner after retiring from professional football, was shot twice in the chest on March 29 2016, in his Bloemfontein home while getting out of the bath.
Gxamza, 35, is one of four men sought by the Hawks for the murder alongside three Lesotho nationals Dira Moreenyane, 34, Nthabiseng Lempe, 34, and Alice Majake, 29.
The suspects were initially arrested by the Hawks, but they were released after the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court struck the matter off the roll, said Mulaudzi.
The case was struck off the roll after endless delays from the state, without the case going to trial.After the Hawks successfully challenged the November 11 2016 release of the suspects in the Bloemfontein High Court, a new warrant of arrest was issued for the suspects but they could not be found, said Mulaudzi.
The spokesman said an undisclosed amount of money was stolen during the robbery and murder before the suspects fled the scene in Helepi’s car.
The vehicle was later found abandoned at Phelindaba, not far from the scene, said Mulaudzi.
“Anyone with information regarding any of the suspects should contact Captain Babani Skota on 079-509-4998 or Warrant Officer Motlhoua Motshweneng on 082372-0093,” he said.
Helepi’s brother Sello said their family were still hopeful that justice would prevail one day.
“We can’t give up. As long as the suspects are still alive, there is hope that they will be arrested. We strongly believe in the universal principle of justice – that one can never evade justice forever,” he said.
Sello said the arrest of the suspects would bring closure to the family and end the “tragic” chapter for them, especially Helepi’s only surviving son...