Major breakthroughs in Wickham murder case
DULLSTROOM - In the last two months, a woman and two others have been arrested in connection with a robbery and shooting that took place at an upmarket guest house.
John Wickham, an internationally renowned bass angler, was shot and killed while protecting his wife Magda from two armed assailants who tried to break into their unit in November.
This couple from eMalahleni awoke to the sound of shattering glass as the robbers gained entry to their unit by smashing a window. The unit was dark, but, according to a police source, Magda could see her husband chasing the robbers from their room. Two shots were fired.
John was hit and collapsed outside the unit. He was rushed to Belfast Hospital, some 30km from the guest house, with the South African Bass Angling Association’s president, Craig Fraser, attempting lifesaving measures on John en route, but these were in vain.
The suspects fled with only the couple’s cellphones.
James Cumiao (38) was the first to be arrested in Cullinan on November 30, and was charged with contravention of the Immigration Act. However, after further investigation, he was subsequently charged with murder and robbery on
January 12.
During the course of the probe, information surfaced about the whereabouts of a suspect in possession of an unlicensed firearm in Cullinan. On January 23, the investigation led investigators to the front door of Gil Ernesto Manave (38).
Both are believed to be Mozambican citizens.
An unlicensed firearm was found during the search of the property, which has been sent for ballistic analysis.
Another suspect, a 28-year-old female, also from Mozambique, was apprehended and charged with contravening immigration laws.
A provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, said the woman is further suspected of involvement in Wickham’s murder.
Manave was charged with illegal possession of a suspected stolen firearm with live ammunition, as well as contravention of the Immigration Act. He recently appeared in the Belfast Magistrate’s Court.
Control prosecutors are currently weighing whether to charge Manave as an accessory to murder, after the fact, alongside Cumiao. He also faces a charge of defeating the ends of justice.
The matter was postponed for the appointment of an interpreter. The court outcome was unknown by the time of going to press.