Issued by: Ministry for Safety and Security
The National Commissioner of South African Police Service has informed the Minister for Safety and Security of the following arrests which wre made after investigations conducted by the investigation Task Unit in KwaZulu Natal. THE ARREST OF SELF DEFENCE UNIT COMMANDERS ON MURDER CHARGES A team of detectives from the ITU has arrested 3 commanders of the ANC's Self Defence Unite on 2 counts of murder. The arrests were carried out today by detectives under Major Phillip Scholtz o 70/02/93, involves a peoples court execution of Bogani Mkhize and Mzwandile Mtolo.
The suspects will appear in Court tomorrow where bail will be opposed.
They are: 1. Simphiwe Dlamini, SDU Assistant Commander of the Mgoda area. He is currently a police constable based on the Police Protection Unit in Pretoria. He was arrested at the unit. 2. Mkhari Makhatini, SDU Commander of the Isilahla/Mashihela area. He was arrested at the Mdala School in Ndaleni. 3. M'southern Zondi, SDU Commander of the "Lusaka" area of Ndaleni, Richmond. It is suspected that those arrested were engaged in alleged hit squad activities and further cases are being investigated against Dlamini and Zondi and other individuals. Dlamini and Zondi, together with other suspects are being investigated in connection with the murder and attempted murder of some IFP leaders and members, some policemen, suspected informers and other political opponents. An allegation of SDU members engaging in hits while wearing police and military uniforms is under investigation.
Police statistics point to the state of lawlessness in the greater Richmond area. Over the period of ed some 246 violent deaths, and secured only a paltry 9 convictions.
Further arrests can be expected. THE ARREST OF POLICEMEN IN CONNECTION WITH TWO MURDERS A South African Policeman and a former Special Constable have been arrested for the 1990 murders of UDF activists, Vusi Ngcobo and Bonakwe Gase, at Mbawa near Wartburg. The arrests were carried out by Col Clifford Marion of the ITU. The two arrested were:
1. Sergeant Peter William Smith, based at the Pietermaritzburg internal Stability Unit. He was arrested at the ISU on 22 September 1995. 2. Former Special Constable, Welcome Muzi Hlope. Hlope is presently a soldier in the alion in Ladysmith. He was arrested at 5 SAI on 26 September 1995.
An Inquest Magistrate at the New Hanover Court found Smith and Hlope to be ragistrate also found Major Joseph van Zyl to be an accessory after the fact to the murders for his role in the police cover up of the crimes. The Attorney-General of KwaZulu-Natal has however declined to prosecute Major van Zyl.
THE ARREST OF TWO SELF PROTECTION UNIT MEMBERS ON ONE COUNT OF MURDER AND ONE COUNT OF ATTEMPTED MURDER
Two SPU members have been arrested in connection with the murder of ANC member, L Nhantumbo, and the attempted murder of Sizwe Mthethwa during September of th Bhitsa Sibusiso Nkwanyana
The two have appeared in the Mtsunzini Court and the matter has been remanded to 24 October 1995. Both suspects are being held in custody. The case is being investigated by Lt Sibisi of the ITU.
THE ARREST OF TWO SELF PROTECTION UNIT MEMBERS ON ONE COUNT OF MURDER
Two SPU members were arrested by Warrant Officer Zulu of the ITU for the murder of Mkheteni Zulu, an IFP member who was suspected of being an ANC sympathiser. The murder took place at Mtunzini during March of the year. The ITU took over the investigation during August. The two who were arrested during September are:
1. Thulani Myeza of Mpumaze Reserve, Gingindlovu.
Both suspects are being held in custody and the matter has been remanded to 16 November 1995 in the Mtunzimi Magistrate's Court.
ENQUIRIES: MULALO MAXWELL MULAUDZI CELLPHONE NO 082 373 2005