One of the five suspects arrested in Mbombela over cop murder is implicated in more crimes | Lowvelder

One of the five suspects arrested in Mbombela in connection with the murder of Lieutenant Colonel Pieter Pretorius, the commander of the Vehicle Identification Unit in Ermelo, has been implicated in further crimes.

Former police officer Mthobisi Nkosi (40) has been implicated in a syndicate specialising in possible vehicle theft and illegal registration of vehicles.

This came to light after investigators visited Nkosi’s home in Emjindini Township in Barberton on Monday January 20.

A provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, confirmed that the investigating team found three BMWs at the premises.

These vehicles included one that had been stolen from the former police officer in eMalahleni in 2018.

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“Investigations revealed that one of the BMW vehicles found at the suspect’s residence was the same vehicle that was stolen in Witbank seven years ago. Preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle identification number had been tampered with,” said Nkosi.

He said the intensive investigations by the Secunda Hawks into the murder exposed more alleged criminal activities by one of the five suspects arrested for the murder.

Nkosi said when investigators visited the suspect’s home, the police also discovered 50 vehicle licence discs and documents on the premises.

“Some of the licence discs and vehicle documents had already been used, while some were still intact. The BMW 325i and the vehicle documents were seized and an inquiry was registered for further investigation,” said Nkosi.

The five suspects, Nkosi, Aubrey Xaba (35), Skhumbuzo Skhakhane (40), Nyiko Mujovo (30) and Valencia Skhosana (36) were remanded in custody by the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court during their appearance on Monday January 20.

The matter was postponed to Monday January 27 to allow Mujovo to obtain a legal representative and for further police investigations.

They were all arrested at a fuel station on the corner of the Old Pretoria Road and the R40 in Mbombela in the early hours of Friday, less than 12 hours after Pretorius’s murder.

The lieutenant colonel was on his way to meet an informer when an AK-47-wielding suspect ambushed him as he was driving his official Isuzu bakkie along Dr Nichol Street in Ermelo on Thursday January 16.

The suspect opened fire before jumping into a white BMW and fleeing the scene.

Pretorius died in hospital shortly afterwards.