55-year-old suspect arrested for policeman’s barbershop murder

The suspect allegedly shot Warrant Officer Soldier Charles Mgimba in the head while he was at a barbershop in August.

Sep 17, 2022 - 16:29
1117
55-year-old suspect arrested for policeman’s barbershop murder

A 55-year-old suspect was arrested for the alleged murder of Warrant Officer Soldier Charles Mgimba, on Thursday, 15 September.

55-YEAR-OLD ARRESTED FOR POLICE MURDER

Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha said Mgimba was cutting his hair at a barber on the corners of Keefe and Gelden Streets in Bramley View on Friday, 26 August.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased was at a Barber cutting his hair when an unknown gunman shot him on the forehead under mysterious circumstances,” said Ramovha.

At the time of the shooting, South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the suspect approached Mgimba from behind and started swearing at him before opening fire.

First a vehicle – suspected to be the getaway car – was identified and traced to the same neighbourhood the shooting occurred in. The suspect was later linked to the crime.

The 55-year-old was arrested on Thursday by a multi-disciplinary team made up of members from the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, K9, Metro Police, Local Criminal Record Centre and the Saturated Unit.

The suspect was nabbed at his home and a firearm, which is suspected of being the murder weapon, was also seized as part of the investigation. It is currently undergoing ballistic testing, said the Hawks spokesperson.

The man will appear before the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 19 September.

READ