Two in court for murder of forensic investigator

(Archive photo: Tania Heyns/Maroela Media)

A protocol manager of the Prime Minister in Mpumalanga’s office who is connected to the murder of Mabidi Mashaba, a forensic investigator attached to the Mpumalanga Provincial Government, appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Emmanuel Neverdie Mkhabela (47), is on trial on charges of premeditated murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

His co-accused, Eckson Jabulani Mkhonto (53), an observation officer also from the Prime Minister’s office in Mpumalanga, briefly appeared in the same court on Thursday on similar charges.

Lumka Mahanjana, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Pretoria, says it is alleged that Mashaba was on his way from Mpumalanga to Pretoria on 7 September 2023 when the two accused drove up to his vehicle in the area of ​​Villeria and opened fire on him. They then fled the scene.

Mashaba was apparently on her way home.

“After the shooting, Mashaba apparently stopped and contacted his supervisor and informed him that the two accused had fired several shots at him. He was later found by the side of the road by security officers in the area and transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.”

Mahanjana says that after an extensive investigation, Mkhonto was arrested at a guesthouse in Mpumalanga, while Mkhabele handed himself over to the Villeria police station.

The case against the two accused has been postponed until June 4, when they are expected to apply for bail.