SAPS is confident as evidence mounts in the murder investigation of IFP Deputy Chief Whip Khethamabala Sithole, who was gunned down in Katlehong.
South African police say they are on the verge of a breakthrough in the high-profile murder case of IFP Deputy Chief Whip Khethamabala Sithole, who was tragically assassinated in Katlehong, Gauteng, over the weekend. The 45-year-old was ambushed and killed by unknown assailants in what investigators are treating as a politically motivated assassination.
According to police reports, the attack took place on the evening of Saturday, 31 May 2025. Sithole’s colleague, IFP Gauteng Provincial Secretary Alco Ngobese, was also shot during the incident and is currently recovering in hospital.
A National Priority: High-Level Police Deployment
The seriousness of the case has drawn national attention, with top police officials personally overseeing the investigation. The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, convened an urgent meeting with key members of the investigation team on Monday. Present at the briefing were Deputy National Commissioner of Crime Detection Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya and Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the team has made significant progress. “The National Commissioner has been briefed on the evidence gathered. He is confident that we are close to making an arrest,” said Mathe.
Target Identified, Arrest Imminent
General Masemola emphasised the meticulous work done by crime intelligence officers and seasoned detectives who are actively tracing the prime suspect. “We know who we are looking for. It is just a matter of time before we make an arrest,” he declared.
Masemola urged the suspect to surrender voluntarily: “We call on this individual to hand himself over to his nearest police station. We will find you, but we’d prefer that you do the right thing.”
The police have not publicly disclosed the name or identity of the suspect but assured the public that all leads are being followed diligently.
Tributes Pour In for a “Servant Leader”
IFP national spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa paid tribute to Sithole, describing him as “a hard-working servant leader of the people and our country.” Sithole’s political journey began in his youth, and he rose through the ranks to serve as the Gauteng Provincial Chairperson and later as Deputy Chief Whip in Parliament.
The IFP and its supporters are demanding justice while expressing their outrage over the assassination, calling it a devastating loss to the party and the province.
Parallel Tragedy: The Murder of Lukhona Fose
While Sithole’s assassination dominates headlines, another heart-wrenching case has shaken the nation. Deputy Police Minister Dr Polly Boshielo confirmed that a specialised team has also been deployed to investigate the brutal murder of 14-year-old Lukhona Fose.
The Grade 8 learner from Ikusasalethu Secondary School was found mutilated in a field in Durban Deep on Sunday, 1 June 2025, after she had gone missing the day before. Her death has sparked outrage and a renewed call for urgent interventions against violent crime, especially crimes targeting women and children.
Justice May Be Close, but Questions Linger
As police close in on Sithole’s alleged assassin, the broader questions of political safety, gun violence, and community protection remain. The SAPS’ rapid mobilisation of senior officials signals their commitment, but the public and political community alike demand swift justice and lasting security reforms.
This developing story remains one to watch closely as the police prepare to bring Sithole’s killers to justice. The nation waits with bated breath for a formal arrest.
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