Four arrested for murder of man reported missing

DENNILTON – Four suspects aged between 27 and 35 years-old have been arrested in connection with the murder of the 33 year-old man who was recently reported missing.

The four suspects first appeared before the Mdutjana Magistrates Court on 17 August on allegations of murder.

They were arrested on 14 August by members of the Mpumalanga Provincial Investigation Unit. It is reported that on 17 July, a 33 year-old man was reported missing be his mother at the Dennilton SAPS after he left home in his VW Polo and never returned.

Colonel Donald Mdhluli, Mpumalanga NPA Spokesperson, said days later, on 26 July, the lifeless body of an unknown male was found in the bushes at Oorlog around Siyabuswa outside Marble Hall and police were alerted. A murder case was opened.

Mdhluli said the deceased was identified as Cecil Malefathlo, the man who was reported missing by his mother.

Mdhluli said a preliminary investigation was then launched by the provincial team which led to them receiving information about the whereabouts of one of the suspects.

“They acted on the information and conducted an operation which eventually led to the arrest of the four suspects on Saturday, 14 August around Dennilton,” said Mdhluli.

The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, has applauded the team’s efforts in ensuring that the suspects were traced and arrested.

The four, Ben Baloyi (29), Timothy Tladi (35), Simon Ntjane (39) and Lebogang Ramutla (27) reappeared before the Mdutjane Magistrates Court in Siyabuswa outside Marble Hall on Tuesday, 24 August and the case was postponed to 02 September for formal bail application.