Alleged cop killer remains in custody

Date: 27 October 2017 By: Kaizer Nengovhela

A 30-year-old suspect, Fhumulani Simali, who allegedly stabbed and killed Det W/O Nthambeleni Andrew Mudau (59) of the Makhado SAPS on Sunday at Louis Trichardt appeared in court and his case was postponed to 1 November for a bail application.

Simali appeared in the Louis Trichardt Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

The police officer’s death raises more questions than answers as no one can explain exactly what had happened. After news of Mudau’s death broke, the police services in Limpopo were plunged into deep mourning.

According to the provincial police spokesperson, Lt-Col Moatshe Ngoepe, Mudau was killed by a suspect who was sought for a variety of charges, which include assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm and theft out of a motor vehicle.

The information led police to a house in the town where the suspect stays. When the police arrived at the suspect’s house, he allegedly became violent and stabbed W/O Mudau. Mudau was taken to hospital but was certified dead on arrival.

The police’s provincial commissioner, Lt General Nneke Ledwaba, said that the death of Mudau was a great loss to the Department of Safety and Security and the community as a whole. He described Mudau as a brave policeman, who was loyal to the government and to his fellow men.

Ledwaba urged the community to “say enough is enough against crime and expose all criminals in order to stop police killings.” He said that anyone who attacked a police officer was undermining the government. The community must not allow police officers to be “killed like chickens” said Ledwaba.  He said that the police were not going to be threatened by a minority of criminals.

The chairperson of the Makhado Cluster Community Policing Forum, Mr Sampson Mphilo, emphasised the point that no person has the right to take another person’s life. He said the government and the churches must join hands to fight the demon of murder in communities. “Human life is very important,” he said. He expressed his condolences to the Mudau family and said the deceased had been a hard worker.

Family spokesperson Mr Albert Mudau said the family was saddened by the passing away of Mudau, as he was regarded as a light to the family and the community at large. “We are truly devastated, as we have lost a pillar of the family whom everyone looked up to for advice,” he said.

The funeral service will start at 06:00 tomorrow (Saturday) at the deceased’s home and proceed to the Vleifontein cemetery for burial.

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Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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The late Det W/O Nthambeleni Andrew Mudau.