Suspected cop killer arrested in Bushbuckridge
The 25-year-old suspect was caught while loitering in the streets of Mkhuhlu in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, yesterday at around 16:30.
Mpumalanga News reports that a team of investigators comprising the Hawks, National Crime Intelligence and the Calcutta Police Task Team effected the arrest.
'The suspect was found in possession of two cellphones. It is believed that one of the phones was stolen during the robbery and murder of the policeman,' says Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Magonseni Nkosi.
Further police investigations led the team to the house of a person of interest linked to the suspect.
'Upon seeing the police, the suspect fled into the residential area, managing to evade arrest,' says Nkosi.
'A search of the house was conducted during which a handgun with the serial numbers filed off and four live ammunition rounds were seized,' he adds.
Chabangu (29), who was attached to Volksrust SAPS, was gunned down during a business robbery at a barbershop in Lillydale Trust under the Bushbuckridge municipality.
The robbers entered the premises and demanded valuables from the victims, including cellphones and cash.
They allegedly assaulted the victims and stripped the policeman of his clothes before taking his vehicle keys. As they left the barbershop, Chabangu pursued the robbers. They shot him in the upper body, killing him instantly.
The Mpumalanga head of the Hawks, Major General Nico Gerber, vowed that the police would not rest until all involved in the killing of the officer were behind bars.
'We strongly believe that justice will be served for the family, community and the SAPS,' says Gerber.
Chabangu's funeral takes place today in Bushbuckridge.
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