Police posers nabbed
THE family of a slain KwaMbonambi pensioner demands justice take its course following the arrest of three ruthless fake cops.
The couple was about to go to sleep on Friday night when two men posing as police officers knocked on their door demanding a firearm and cash.
Survivor, Dolly Msweli (47) said the suspects demanded they open the door for them.
“I was in my pajamas and my husband [Velaphi Msweli] was wearing trunk pants as we were about to sleep. The first thing they asked him was my whereabouts.
My husband responded to that and they demanded his registered firearm and licence. He handed over his gun and licence, and they told us they would need to take my husband to the police station as his firearm licence had expired.
“After that, they demanded cash and my husband offered to give them R500. They rejected it and I offered R1 000. They took it, and took my husband and his firearm. I notified my family about the ordeal. In less than 20 minutes, they returned and ordered me into their vehicle.
“I thought we were going to the police station, but they took me to a secluded area where they forced me to kneel in the bushes. They tried to shoot me several times but their gun jammed.
“One of them went back to their vehicle and returned with my husband’s firearm and shot me in the face under my nose. They left me to bleed to death. A single bullet went through and came out under my ear,” said Msweli.
She was found dumped in the Mposa area and was rushed to hospital. She was discharged on Monday. Her husband’s body was found in the bushes on the same night.
King Cetshwayo Cluster police spokesperson Captain Siyanda Shangase said a case of murder, attempted murder and kidnapping was registered at KwaMbonambi SAPS.
I thought we were going to the police station, but they took me to a secluded area where they forced me to kneel in the bushes. They tried to shoot me several times but their gun jammed
“Police activated a 72-hour action plan to locate the suspects. Investigations led them to Highflats outside Ixopo where they arrested a 34-year-old suspect. He was found in the suspect's getaway vehicle and [with] a firearm. Police proceeded to Umlazi, south of Durban, where a further two suspects, aged 40 and 45, were arrested. They were found in possession of firearms and ammunition,” he said.
Shangase said the trio is expected to appear at Umlazi Magistrate's Court for possession of firearms and ammunition.
“Afterwards, they will be dragged to KwaMbonambi Magistrate's Court where they will be charged with murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and robbery,” he said.