Tip-off leads to arrest of alleged cop killer in Komatipoort, Mpumalanga | The Witness

A community member’s tip-off led to the arrest of highly sought-after police killer, Prince Gift Mdluli in Komatipoort, Mpumalanga on Saturday morning.

Mdluli, who was being sought in connection with the investigation into the murder of Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius (59), was taken into custody following a police operation.

According to a joint media statement by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and the provincial commissioner of SAPS Mpumalanga’s office, Mdluli had been on the run since January 16.

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The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber and the Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi commended members of Komatipoort Detectives and Visible Policing for speedy reaction after receiving a tip-off about Mdluli.

Mdluli has been on the run from January 16, 2025 after the Unit Commander of Ermelo Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit was gunned down, execution style in Ermelo.

Five suspects linked to the murder, a former police official Mthobisi Nkosi (40), Aubrey Xaba (35), Skhumbuzo Skhakhane (40) Nyiko Mujovo (30) and Valencia Skhosana were arrested in less than 12 hours by the Hawks Secunda based Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Nelspruit.

According to a statement by the Hawks, Mdluli was arrested in one of the clothing shops in Komatipoort.

“During his arrest, Mdluli was wearing dirty and worn-out clothes.

“Police received a tip-off from community members at about 8am, and they wasted no time and immediately attended to the call,” read the statement.

Mdluli will join his five co-accused, who are still in custody. Four of the five accused abandoned their bail application in Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on February 18 and are scheduled to reappear on April 10. The fifth suspect, Skhosana, proceeded with her bail application but was also remanded in custody after appearing twice on February 18 and 27. She will proceed with her bail application on March 12.

The Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber, thanked the community, private security industry, and external stakeholders who responded so positively in the search of the fugitive.

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“Several sightings were reported, and all leads followed up. Members of the Hawks, Crime Intelligence, Tactical teams, and other divisions responded to and worked tirelessly to trace the suspect. All these efforts resulted in the suspect being arrested,”

“I appreciate the community involvement as this is a clear indication that communities are standing behind law enforcement and are themselves tired of criminality,” said Gerber.

He also applauded the commitment of his members, who left no stone unturned.