By Montsho Matlala
Klerksdorp – Seven suspects linked to the fatal shooting of Limpopo ANCYL provincial executive committee member, Nkateko “Mbhoma” Maluleka (32), have been remanded in custody and will reappear in the Wolmaransstad Magistrate’s Court later this month.
The suspects appeared in two separate groups: one facing charges of murder, and another group charged with cable theft.
Two men, Luyanda Ndzekeni (41) and Thembela Ngaleka (33), are accused of pulling the trigger in the deadly attack.
They briefly appeared in court on charges of murder and six counts of attempted murder.
Both were remanded until 23 September for further investigation and bail proceedings, said North West police spokesperson Brigadier Sabatha Mokgwabone.
The second group of five, allegedly linked to cable theft following information provided by the accused gunmen, appeared separately.
They include Ndlovu Farai (18), Masangusa Tinash (31), Ngoni Nzamane (18), Robert Mapindane (20)—all Zimbabwean nationals—and Sechaba Mokwena (30), a South African.
The four foreign nationals also face charges of being in the country without proper documentation. The court noted the need for a Shona interpreter, who was unavailable at the time. All five were remanded until 22 September for a bail application.
The arrests followed Tuesday’s deadly attack on a vehicle transporting Maluleka and fellow ANCYL members to the national conference in Kimberley, Northern Cape.
The vehicle came under heavy fire near Leeudoringstad, outside Klerksdorp, allegedly from a car that had been trailing them. Maluleka died at the scene, while six others travelling with him escaped unharmed.
According to Mokgwabone, the two alleged gunmen, arrested after crashing their getaway vehicle, told police they were private security officers pursuing cable theft suspects. They claimed they mistakenly targeted Maluleka’s vehicle, believing it matched the description of the alleged thieves’ car.
“Police confiscated a pistol and a rifle from the duo and placed them under arrest,” Mokgwabone said.
“The hunt for the cable theft suspects continued, and officers later intercepted a seven-seater black Suzuki with five men on board.
The suspects could not account for the origin of the cables in their possession, leading to their arrest.”
