-Edited by Bev Mortimer- Six suspects allegedly involved in a series of hit murders, driven by a sinister motive to claim insurance pay-outs were arrested today and yesterday.
A seventh suspect is at St Albans Prison awaiting trial for possession of firearm case and he will also be charged with the other 6 suspects, the SAPS says.
According to SAPS Colonel, Priscilla Naidu, seven suspects, allegedly involved in a series of hit murders, and driven by a sinister motive to claim insurance pay-outs, were served warrants of arrests. Six warrants for 11 murder or ‘hit killings’ were executed by the SAPS EC at 1am in the Kwanobuhle and Despatch areas, near Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape Province.
A multidisciplinary, well co-ordinated SAPS and law enforcement operation took place at the residences of six suspects in Kwanobuhle and Despatch , Colonel Naidu, says. The suspects were wanted in several murder cases motivated, by greed and deception (insurance claims).
The arrests were effected after more than 10 months of intense investigations by unit which linked an organised crime syndicate and organised crime syndicate to numerous hit killings in Kwadwesi, Kwanobuhle,Despatch, Whittlesea and Kamesh. The suspects were connected through ballistic linkages and insurances policies.
The suspects aged between 40-52 face charges of at least 11 murder cases of which two are double murder cases in Kwanobuhle, racketeering and fraud relating to the several claims that was submitted on deceased persons for 11 deaths as well as illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
During the arrests, the team consisting of Murder & Robbery from Queenstown; Commercial Crimes Unit from Cradock, Uitenhage and Gqeberha; Provincial Anti-Gang Unit in Gqeberha; Public Order Police in Gqeberha; SAPS Kwanobuhle and Despatch detectives also confiscated a firearm, 3 magazines, 95 live rounds of ammunition and two cellphones. “The suspects aged between 40-52 years old face charges of at least 11 murder cases of which two are double murder cases in Kwanobuhle, racketeering and fraud relating to the several claims that was submitted on deceased persons for 11 deaths as well as illegal possession of firearms and ammunition,” Col Naidu says.
The arrested suspects will appear in the Kariega magistrate court on Monday, 18 September 2023 on the respective charges.
The EC Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene, lauded the exceptional work of the dedicated police investigators, who tirelessly pursued justice in a case that strikes at the heart of our community’s safety. “These arrests are a testament to the unwavering commitment and professionalism of our law enforcement officers who worked diligently to bring these perpetrators to book.
“This breakthrough would not have been possible without the outstanding collaboration between our investigators, the National Prosecuting Authority and our partners in the insurance industry. This success marks the beginning of our fight against organised crime and I am convinced that it will open doors for more arrests, dismantling criminal networks that threaten our communities”
