10 More SANDF Members Arrested in Hawks Officer Murder Case

According to official statements from the Hawks special investigations unit, the newly detained military personnel voluntarily presented themselves to the Serious Organised Crime Investigation team in Johannesburg earlier this week. These arrests follow the apprehension of two other SANDF members just days prior.

Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Singo confirmed all twelve suspects now face identical criminal charges related to the violent incident.

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“The ten individuals taken into custody today are all active SANDF members facing comparable charges to those already in detention,” Singo stated.

The latest group of accused military personnel will join their two previously arrested colleagues when the combined case appears before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court. Prosecutors have filed charges, including premeditated murder and kidnapping, against all defendants.

Background of the Tragic Incident

The fatal attack occurred in August 2023 when unknown assailants ambushed Mathipa’s vehicle along the N1 highway near Hammanskraal. Eyewitness reports indicate the attackers pulled alongside the officer’s car before opening fire in what investigators believe was a targeted assassination.

Media investigations revealed Mathipa had been actively working on a sensitive case involving the kidnapping of alleged ISIS operative Abdella Abadiga from Johannesburg’s Mall of Africa. The late officer had reportedly been examining potential connections between the abduction and certain SANDF special forces units prior to his death.

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Ongoing Investigation

Law enforcement officials emphasise the investigation remains active, with authorities continuing to pursue all leads related to the case. The recent arrests mark a substantial breakthrough in the two-year investigation into Mathipa’s untimely death.