Another suspect arrested for murder of off-duty Cape officer

The Hawks in the Western Cape has arrested another suspect linked to the murder of a police officer.

PICTURE: Pixabay

Sergeant Simphiwe Kwepile, who was stationed at Nyanga police station and was off duty at the time, was brutally murdered in June 2023 at his family home in Mandela Park, Khayelitsha. It was alleged that he took a walk to the shop. While he was away, two suspects entered the house while his brother and two friends were inside the house.

‘’It was alleged that the suspects demanded the keys of the vehicle that was parked in front of the address which belonged to Sgt Kwepile. It was during this time when Sgt Kwepile returned back from the shop. As he entered the house at the back door, he was fatally shot,’’ said Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi, Hawks Western Cape spokesperson.

Vukubi said the Hawks followed up on all leads and on 28 September 2023, one of the suspects, Luxolo Mbhokwe (25) was identified and arrested. He is still in custody.

The second suspect was apprehended on Tuesday after a warrant of arrest was issued.

Pumlani Gugushe (35) appeared before the Khayelitsha Magistrate's Court on Thursday morning and the matter is postponed to 18 February 2025 for bail application. His co- accused, Mbhokwe also appeared at a separate court at the Khayelitsha Regional Court where his matter was postponed to 18 February 2025 for Provisional date.

Hawks Provincial Head, Major General Mathipa Makgato expressed his satisfaction with this breakthrough ‘’as this sends a clear message that the Hawks will leave no stone unturned to apprehend the perpetrators of serious crimes.’’

 

Done by: Elona Sibunzi