Four additional suspects have been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius in Ermelo on 16 January 2025, bringing the total number of individuals charged in the case to ten.
The new arrests, which took place on Friday, 14 March 2025, include Vusi Shabalala (43), Njabulo Zwane (26), Percy Siyabonga Duba (30), and Phetheni Samaria Duba (37). The suspects have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and defeating the ends of justice.
These arrests follow the earlier capture of Prince Gift Mdluli, who was apprehended on Saturday, 8 March 2025 in Komatipoort. Mdluli appeared in court on Monday, 10 March 2025, and his case was postponed to 10 April 2025, where he will join his co-accused in court. These include Mthobisi Nkosi (40), Aubrey Xaba (35), Skhumbuzo Skhakhane (40), and Nyiko Mujovo (30), who have abandoned their bail applications, while Valencia Skhosana (35) is proceeding with her bail application.
The four new suspects appeared in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 17 March 2025, and their case has been postponed to 20 March 2025 for legal representation.
Major General Nico Gerber, Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the investigation and the ongoing efforts to bring all those involved in Lt Col Pretorius’ murder to justice.
The investigation continues as police work to build a strong case against the accused.