Provincial Commissioner Lauds Breakthrough In Hit Murders
Seven suspects allegedly involved in a series of hit murders, driven by a sinister motive to claim insurance pay-outs, were arrested over the weekend in the Eastern Cape.
A multidisciplinary, well-coordinated operation consisting of Murder & Robbery from Queenstown; Commercial Crimes Unit from Cradock, Uitenhage and Gqeberha; Provincial Anti-Gang Unit; Public Order Police and various industry partners arrested the suspects, as well as confiscated a firearm, 3 magazines, 95 live rounds of ammunition and cellphones.
The suspects were wanted in several murder cases where the motive for the killings were driven by greed and deception (Insurance Fraud). The arrests were made after more than 10 months of intense investigations by Queenstown Murder & Robbery and Cradock Commercial Crimes Investigation unit, which linked the syndicate to numerous hit killings in the Province. The suspects were connected to these cases through ballistic linkages and insurance policies.
The suspects aged between 40 and 52 years old, face charges of at least 11 murder cases of which two are double murder cases, racketeering and fraud relating to the several claims that were submitted, as well as illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
“These arrests are a testament to the unwavering commitment and professionalism of our law enforcement officers who worked diligently to bring these perpetrators to book. Their dedication has not only removed a dangerous threat from our streets but also sends a clear message that crime will not go unpunished. However, it must be noted that this breakthrough would not have been possible without the outstanding collaboration between our investigators, the National Prosecuting Authority and our partners in the insurance industry. This success marks the beginning of our fight against organised crime and I am convinced that it will open doors for more arrests, dismantling criminal networks that threaten our communities.’ Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene