THE Hawks have arrested another suspect in connection with the murder of activist Loyiso Nkohla-Mabandla.
Loyiso was gunned down in Philippi in April 2023 after attending a community meeting.
Three others, including a former ANC councillor, were wounded in the shooting.
According to Lieutenant-Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi, 38-year-old suspect Mziyanda Mdlungu was tracked and arrested in Katlehong, Gauteng on Monday 13 November.
Mdlungu appeared briefly in the Pretoria Central Magistrates Court on 14 November 2023 and is expected to appear in the Athlone Magistrates Court in Cape Town on 20 November.
Loyiso’s widow, Nyameka Mabandla said the arrest coincided with the first birthday of Loyiso’s last-born son.
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“It was a difficult day emotionally as Loyiso was a present father and never missed any special days in his children’s lives. I feel relieved and confident that indeed my husband will get justice. The Hawks continue to bring us renewed hope and confidence in the law enforcement agencies of our country, and I wish to thank them for their hard work and dedication,” said Nyameka.
Cops arrested another suspect, Zukisa Tshabile, on 27 October. He made his first appearance on 30 October. Tshabile appeared for the second time on 6 November, where he abandoned his bail application.
Loyiso and a group of people were having a meeting when gunmen stormed in and shot four people. It's alleged that after the shooting, one suspect, believed to be Tshabile, turned back and finished Loyiso off while he was lying on the ground.
In the previous court appearance, the prosecution disclosed that Tshabile was linked with another suspect who owns a security company.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Eric Ntabazalila said: “The suspect is linked with the suspect mentioned above through cellphone and bank records,” said.
