Murder, hijack suspect held
A man believed to have shot the driver of a jikeleza taxi he allegedly hijacked last weekend has been arrested after police tracked the car to a house in Kwazakhele.
The 37-year-old, who has prior arrests relating to car thefts, was arrested at a house in Seyisi Street‚ Kwazakhele, at about 8am on Friday.
The arrest comes after the body of Sindile Christopher Mpahlwa, 37, was found in Mission Road, Greenbushes, with a bullet to the head on Sunday.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Alwin Labans said that, at the time, Mpahlwa had no identification on him.
“Police were alerted to the body in the road with a gunshot wound to the head.
“Later the same day, a man came to the Kwazakhele police station to report his Toyota Avanza missing after lending it to a relative who was supposed to return it on Saturday.”
Labans said the vehicle was used as a jikeleza in the greater Port Elizabeth area.
“On investigating, detectives discovered Mpahlwa had been driving the Avanza.”
Since Monday, police have been attempting to locate the vehicle, which was spotted on Friday morning.
“The K9 unit got information about the vehicle parked at a house in Kwazakhele.
“The house was raided and the stolen vehicle found inside the garage. Some of Mpahlwa’s belongings were also found.”
Labans said the reason for the murder was believed to be hijacking, but was still under investigation.
The man is due to appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Monday for murder and possession of a stolen car.
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