SEVEN-YEAR MANHUNT ENDS WITH ARREST OF POLICE KILLER SUSPECT

A seven-year manhunt for a suspect allegedly linked to the 2020 murder of police officer Constable Thabo Mdluli has ended with the arrest of a 34-year-old man in Kwaggafontein on Tuesday, 22 September 2026.

Mdluli, 38, was fatally shot on 23 May 2020 while conducting patrol duties with two colleagues at the R573 Vlaklaagte No. 1 intersection. Police had stopped a suspicious white Toyota Corolla when one of the occupants allegedly opened fire.

A forensic investigation later linked the suspect to the crime through fingerprints recovered from the vehicle. A warrant was subsequently issued for his arrest.

Following continued tracing operations, the suspect surrendered at Kwaggafontein Police Station on Tuesday.

He has been charged with murder and carjacking and remains in custody. He is expected to appear before the Mokobola Magistrate’s Court on 23 September 2026.

The arrest followed a joint investigation by Kwaggafontein Detectives and the DPCI Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit in Middelburg.

DPCI Provincial Head Major General Nico Gerber welcomed the breakthrough, saying investigators remained committed to pursuing serious crimes regardless of how much time had passed.