The National Police Commissioner, General Riah Phiyega has applauded Crime Intelligence in Gauteng police for the swift arrest of police-killers in their province.
On Friday, 27 June 2014 Lieutenant Colonel Knox Chauke, a training coordinator at the Human Resources Division, SAPS Head Office, was gunned down in front of his house in Kagiso. Unknown gunmen attacked and shot him several times as he was closing the gate to his driveway. Nothing was taken from him.
Crime Intelligence and detectives worked tirelessly in the respective provinces. Within days of Colonel Chauke being killed, members of the Gauteng Provincial Investigation Unit made arrests. Police also recovered a 9mm pistol and a .38 revolver from the suspects.
Muntungani Mbatha, 39 years of age and Similo Xaba, 33 years of age have been arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Both suspects have already appeared in the Kagiso Magistrates court. Mbatha appeared on Monday, 7 July and decided to abandon his bail application which means that he will remain in custody. Xaba appeared on Tuesday and he will reappear on 15 July for a formal bail application.
The firearms taken from the suspects will be sent for ballistic testing to establish if they were used in the killing of Colonel Chauke or any other crimes.
Detectives are confident that more arrests are expected.