Third suspect arrested in NMMU student hijacking, rape, murder ordeal

A third suspect has been arrested in connection with the hijacking, armed robbery, rape and murder of two NMMU students earlier this month.

Two teenagers had previously been arrested.

Police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the third suspect was arrested at about 3pm on Tuesday (30/08/16).

“The team responded to information received and a 26-year-old suspect was arrested at the corners of Tshangana and Siyakulati streets in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth,” she said.

“He is expected to appear in court soon while the other two suspects are due back in the Port Elizabeth magistrate court on Thursday, 1 September 2016.”

Qualified medic and student Thabani Ngwekazi, 28, was killed shortly after he and a fellow student were hijacked earlier this month.

The two students were hijacked and kidnapped from outside Varsity Park student residences in North End at about 9.30pm on August 13.

During the horror ordeal, Ngwekazi was shot dead and his 21-year-old friend raped, but eventually freed.

The body of the single father from Mthatha was recovered from the sea at Brighton Beach the following day.