Police have confirmed the armed robbery and attempted kidnapping incident involving a former investigator linked to the Senzo Meyiwa case.
The incident happened on Thursday, 15 May just after midnight, the former investigator who was travelling in a state vehicle was allegedly followed by a group of suspects who forced him to stop in Lombardy East in Johannesburg.
FORMER INVESTIGATOR IN SENZO MEYIWA CASE ROBBED
Following the incident, South African Police Service (SAPS) national commissioner General Masemola confirmed that no sensitive information or evidence was taken and that a high level team led by the Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni has been established to investigate and trace those behind the attempted kidnapping and armed robbery of the investigator.
Masemola said the member is safe and did not sustain any injuries during the incident.
General Fannie Masemola also reiterated that the original docket and copies thereof as well as exhibits linked to this case are safe. As the matter is on trial, the copies of the docket, were made available and disclosed to the defence team as early as 2022, as required by law.
“On Thursday, 15 May 2025 just after midnight, the former investigator who was travelling in a state vehicle was allegedly followed by a group of suspects who forced him to stop in Lombardy East in Johannesburg.
“The suspects overpowered the member and attempted to force him into the boot of their vehicle. The member fought back and escaped. The motive for the attack is under investigation,” he explained.
He added that a number of items were taken during the armed robbery which include a state issued firearm with ammunition, a police reflector jacket, a laptop bag containing a laptop, USB drives as well as photocopies of documentation related to the Senzo Meyiwa case which has dragged for over a decade and is still marred by delays.
‘COP’S LIFE IN DANGER’
Coincidentally, in March, prominent anti-crime activist and researcher Mary de Haas warned that the life of one of the investigators in the Senzo Meyiwa murder case is in great danger and that several other people linked to the case have died mysteriously as part of a “high-level cover-up”, Sunday Worldreported.
According to the publication, de Haas wrote to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), accusing them of failing to act on damning
evidence in the murder case.
In the letter, de Haas reportedly mentioned that the people who knew too much about the real killers of Senzo Meyiwa who was killed at the home of his then-girlfriend and singer Kelly Khumalo in October 2014, and the alleged cover-ups taking place, have already died. These include neighbours and police officers.
The letter reportedly warned that the life of warrant officer Meshack Makhubo who was the lead investigator in the second docket in the matter (CAS 375/01/2019), is in grave danger because of his role in uncovering inconsistencies in witness testimonies in the ongoing trial. In addition, de Haas is of the opinion that Makhubo had compiled a solid case against the individuals present at the crime scene.
The publication further reported that on 9 January, armed attackers stormed Makhubo’s home in what de Haas described as an assassination attempt.
De Haas said that Makhubo was not at home at the time, but his son narrowly escaped death after pressing the panic button. The attackers fled in a Toyota Corolla before police arrived.
‘ORIGINAL REGISTERS AND DOCKET ARE SAFE’
According to the police this unfortunate incident will not in any way affect the ongoing Senzo Meyiwa murder trial as only the copies of the occurrence book and cell registers were taken. Notably, these documents were already presented before court when this member testified and was cross-examined in court.
“The original registers and docket of this case are safeguarded accordingly. A high level team is investigating whether this attack is linked to the ongoing murder trial that is in court,” Masemola added.
While a high level team is already on the ground, anyone with information on the whereabouts of these suspects is encouraged to come forward and assist police investigations.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING OF THE FORMER INVESTIGATOR IN THE SENZO MEYIWA MURDER CASE?
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