Seven arrested for murder of Thwala brothers as link established with Coka case
Police said the three Thwala brothers were attacked while stopping to repair a tyre puncture on their car.
PRETORIA, May 31 (ANA) – Seven people, aged between 25 and 60, have been arrested for the 2020 murder of the Thwala brothers in Mpumalanga.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Leonard Hlathi said the suspects are facing two counts of murder, as well as attempted murder, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice after three men – the Thwala brothers – were reportedly assaulted near a farm at Dirkiesdorp.
Hlathi said the attack happened in August 2020 and two of the assaulted men succumbed to their injuries.
“Their court appearance (on Monday) comes after an intensive investigation into a matter where three Thwala brothers driving in a red Toyota Corolla between Dirkiesdorp and Driefontein were accused of stealing sheep. It all erupted when their vehicle got stuck after getting a puncture,” said Hlathi.
Hlathi said the trio climbed out of their vehicle to try to fix the problem when another two vehicles showed up. The suspects reportedly emerged from these vehicles and started questioning the three brothers.
Police said the Thwala brothers were then allegedly tied up before being assaulted to a point where two died.
“The third one sustained serious injuries but survived the ordeal. The matter was then reported to police and an investigation into the matter ensued until a breakthrough was made when the seven men were arrested on Friday, 28 May 2021,” said Hlathi.
Meanwhile, the SAPS in Mpumalanga highlighted the links of the Thwala brothers’ murder to a similar, widely reported case of murder of the Coka brothers, which was registered in April.
The two Coka brothers had reportedly gone to a farm in Dirkiesdorp in search of employment.
“The victims, Zenzele and Mgcini Coka, were sadly murdered whilst another man was kidnapped and assaulted. Five suspects were fingered and arrested by police at the scene shortly after the incident,” said Hlathi.
Three of the suspects linked to the Coka brothers’ murder have also been linked to the attack and killing of the Thwala brothers.
The five suspects in the Coka brothers’ matter were granted R10,000 (about US$730) bail each and the matter was postponed to June 10.
The SAPS in Mpumalanga, led by acting provincial commissioner Major-General Thulani Phahla, has appealed for calm.
“We urge members of the public to allow a space for the law to take its course and not to resort to violence. The state has proven its determination to ensure that no stone will be left unturned in dealing with any criminal activities,” said Phahla.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher
