Siphelele Nketo 

ON Tuesday, May 26, Hawks members in Port Shepstone Serious Organised Crime Investigation arrested a suspect (25) in connection with the murder of Mzamo Sithembile Dzanibe in June last year.

Armed suspects gained entry into Dzanibe’s home in Umzimkhulu last year and held all occupants hostage at gunpoint while demanding to know his whereabouts.

Later that evening, Dzanibe was shot multiple times and robbed of his cellphone and a 9mm Glock firearm.

He was rushed to hospital but was declared dead upon arrival.

A case of murder and kidnapping was subsequently registered at the Umzimkhulu police station. Dzanibe was a state witness in the murder investigation of Sergeant Ntombi Mbanjwa who was stationed at Umzimkhulu police station.

The Hawks investigated Dzanibe’s murder. Following intensive investigations, the Hawks identified a suspect in possession of Dzanibe’s firearm in the Pietermaritzburg area in September last year.

“Forensic and investigative work confirmed that the firearm belonged to the deceased and linked the suspect to the murder. It was further established that he was one of the two suspects wanted in connection with the murder and kidnapping case,” said the Hawks in a statement.

The suspect was arrested on Tuesday for murder and kidnapping.

He appeared before the Umzimkhulu Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

The KwaZulu-Natal Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Acting Provincial Head, Brigadier Zenobia Mulligan, has welcomed the arrest and applauded the members for their good work.