By Nkosana Khumalo
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has made a breakthrough in the investigation into a murder case linked to criminal activity surrounding Richards Bay Minerals (RBM). A SAPS special task team, deployed to address rising criminality involving mineral theft and the killings of executives and businessmen associated with RBM, has apprehended a suspect in the murder of prominent RBM contractor Sipho Zwelethemba Masuku.
According to SAPS National Spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the task team successfully traced 27-year-old Halalisani Nchunu to Gauteng, where he was found in possession of a 9mm pistol and three AK-47 rifles. Ballistic testing has already linked one of these weapons to the murder of Masuku, who was tragically gunned down on 9 August 2024 in Meerensee, Richards Bay. The victim was discovered in his Toyota Fortuner, which had been riddled with bullet holes. A passenger who was travelling with Masuku at the time was also shot but survived the attack.
Details of the Arrest and Charges
Nchunu has since appeared before the Richards Bay Magistrate Court on charges of murder, attempted murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms. His arrest marks a critical development in SAPS’s efforts to bring justice to those affected by the recent violence surrounding RBM operations.
Brigadier Mathe confirmed that the task team is actively pursuing additional suspects believed to have been involved in Masuku’s assassination. “The SAPS task team is hot on the heels of other suspects who are believed to have been involved in this assassination,” Mathe stated, underscoring SAPS’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks linked to RBM.
Background: Rising Violence and Mineral Theft at Richards Bay Minerals
Richards Bay Minerals, a major mining operation in KwaZulu-Natal, has faced increasing security challenges in recent years. The mine, which is involved in the extraction of mineral sands, has become a target for criminal syndicates involved in mineral theft. Additionally, the mining operation has been marred by a series of violent incidents, with several executives and businessmen linked to RBM becoming victims of murder and intimidation.
The murder of Sipho Masuku is one of several high-profile cases that have highlighted the risks faced by individuals associated with RBM. The nature of these crimes has prompted SAPS to deploy specialised teams to investigate and prevent further violence and criminal activities in the region.
Praise for SAPS Task Team’s Efforts
Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, the Acting National Commissioner of SAPS, has commended the dedication and perseverance of the task team assigned to investigate the cases linked to RBM. “The task team’s relentless efforts in tracing those behind the theft of minerals at RBM and those linked to the murders of executives and businessmen demonstrate SAPS’s commitment to ensuring justice and safety,” Sibiya said. He added that the task team’s approach exemplifies the professionalism and tenacity required to combat organised crime in the mining industry.
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