KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli. | Provincial Government
Durban — KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has praised the Hawks and SA Police Service for arresting a police officer for corruption and defeating the ends of justice and three suspects found in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition, respectively.
Ntuli applauded police diligence in arresting those found to be against the law, even within their ranks.
In the recent incident, SAPS Umzinyathi District spokesperson Constable Siyabonga Nkwanyana said that three suspects, aged between 30 and 34, were arrested for being in possession of firearms and ammunition by KZN TRT and Umzinyathi District Crime Intelligence in the Msinga and Nhlanhleni policing areas.
Nkwanyana said that in the early hours of Wednesday, an intelligence-driven operation was conducted on two different unlicensed firearms targets.
“Upon searching the said targets, two suspects were arrested after being found with one R5 assault rifle and one 38 special handgun,” Nkwanyana said.
In another matter, an intelligence-driven operation by the Umzinyathi District Task Team in the KwaWolwane area under the Nhlanhleni policing precinct, “resulted in the arrest of a 30-year-old suspect for possession of an unlicensed pistol”, Nkwanyana said.
All the suspects will appear in Msinga Magistrate’s Court soon.
In the second incident, on Tuesday, Sergeant Ntokozo Mngqithi, 34, was arrested by Hawks members from Port Shepstone Serious Organised Crime Investigation for corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
Mngqithi was already detained for his fiancée’s murder, Sergeant Ntombi Mbanjwa.
He was charged for corruption which was committed in November 2022. Mngqithi was investigating a culpable homicide case after a truck collided with a light motor vehicle and seven passengers died.
KZN Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo said it is alleged Mngqithi approached the truck driver and demanded R60 000 gratification to squash the docket. Indeed certain crucial evidence was not submitted before the court despite numerous instructions on the docket. He allegedly lied about that evidence and the case was provisionally withdrawn. The case docket was then allocated to another investigating officer and Mngqithi’s foul play was discovered. During the Hawks investigation, it was discovered that Mngqithi was paid more than R30 000 to his bank account.
Mngqithi appeared in the Umzimkhulu Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody. The case was postponed to December 19, 2024, for bail application.
Reacting to these arrests, Premier Ntuli said: “This is proof that lawlessness has no place in our province, even within the South African Police Service. No one is above the law, as demonstrated by the arrest of one of their own.
“I commend the work of the police, especially the TRT members and the police force in Umzinyathi District, for their swift actions in arresting three individuals involved in illegal firearms and ammunition possession during two separate incidents.”
Ntuli also expressed satisfaction with the police’s response to criminal elements in the province, praising the leadership of Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for setting a high standard for his team.
The premier also encouraged the public to support the police by exposing corrupt individuals within the community and law enforcement.
“Together, we can ensure that the law takes its course,” Ntuli stated.
WhatsApp your views on this story at 071 485 7995.
Daily News