Three arrested for killing of Pretoria police captain
Three men who allegedly hijacked and killed a police captain were arrested in Winterveld, north of Pretoria, Gauteng police said on Monday.
Captain Kenneth Poortman, 47, was believed to have been hijacked while in his private car on Saturday.
“Four suspects were involved. They allegedly hijacked the captain in Pretoria [Hercules area]. He was stabbed on the upper body and he was dumped along the Theo Martin road,” said police spokesperson Warrant Officer Matthews Nkoadi.
Nkoadi said the four allegedly took Poortman’s firearm and drove to Winterveld where three suspects were later arrested.
“One suspect is still at large,” he said.
“The arrested three will face charges of murder, possession of suspected hijacked vehicle as well as possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunitions. They are expected to appear in court soon.”
Poortman’s car and firearm were recovered.
Over 80 police officer have been killed this year.
A 23-year-old man, Samuel Marothodi Maphanga, of Soshanguve north of Pretoria, accused of the hijacking and murder of Warrant officer Sipho Sithole was denied bail on December 18, by the Brits Magistrate’s Court. His case was postponed to February 5 for further investigation.
Sithole was attacked in Letlhabile near Brits in November, and his car later recovered in Soshanguve.
In another recent case, three men, Thulani Mtshali, Mduduzi Gumede and Bhekizitha Madondo, stand accused of the murder of Constable John Mokotedi. The suspects were expected to apply for bail at the Brits magistrate’s court on January 18.
The three allegedly gunned down Constable Mokotedi, 36, at the Keyarona shopping mall in Bapong near Brits on November 4.
Mokotedi and fellow officers were on routine patrol in the area when they happened upon a gang of armed men. He was shot once in the head and died at the scene.
ANA
(File photo)