Third Sadia suspect tracked

Minister says police just need to go and pick the criminal

Police Minister Bheki Cele says investigators have identified a third man alleged to have played a role in the hijacking and death of Sadia Sukhraj‚ 9‚ on Monday.

The girl had been with her father, Pastor Shailendra Sukhraj, on Monday morning when she was pulled from the car while in the driveway of her grandfather’s Shallcross home by three men who then sped off with Sadia with her father in pursuit.

During the pursuit she was allegedly shot and later died in hospital.

A suspected hijacker died at the scene and another one was arrested.

“Out of three [suspects] we are chasing one now. We have identified the criminal and we just need to go and pick him up‚” Cele said‚ speaking in Shallcross, Durban, yesterday.

“We came to see this family after meeting with the police [in Chatsworth] to hear about this incident.

“We share the pain of this family. It is difficult for us to comprehend how they have been hurt.”

Cele’s visit followed the court appearance yesterday of 39-year-old Sibonelo Mkhize‚ who abandoned his bid for bail in the Durban Magistrate’s Court.

“The one we have arrested is a man who should be in prison by the look of things; I don’t know how people like him get parole‚” Cele said.

“The one that was arrested will stay inside and it helps us because if we let him out… This guy has been profiled and he has a string of cases‚ carjacking and attempted murder.

“I am told he was sentenced to seven years in 2013. The one that is dead has also got a long list of criminal activity‚ and so does the third one. We know him and we know where he stays,” added the minister.