Prince Gift Mdluli Apprehended by Police After Two Months on the Run
After evading authorities for nearly two months, Prince Gift Mdluli was finally apprehended by police on Saturday. The fugitive was wanted in connection with the brutal murder of Lieutenant-Colonel Piet Pretorius, the commander of the Ermelo Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit in Mpumalanga.
Lieutenant-Colonel Pretorius, aged 59, was tragically gunned down in an execution-style murder in January, sending shockwaves through the local community. Mdluli, along with five other suspects, was implicated in the heinous crime, prompting a widespread manhunt led by the Hawks Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit.
While Mdluli managed to evade capture for an extended period, his luck finally ran out when Komatipoort police acted on a recent tip-off regarding his whereabouts. Swift action led to his arrest at a clothing shop in the area, where he was found wearing worn-out clothes and looking worse for wear.
Legal Proceedings and Community Support
Mdluli is set to appear in court in the coming week, where he will likely join his co-accused in facing charges related to Lieutenant-Colonel Pretorius’ murder. Four of the suspects had previously abandoned their bail applications, with the fifth, Valencia Skhosana, continuing with her application but ultimately being remanded in custody.
The Mpumalanga provincial head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber, expressed gratitude towards the community, private security industry, and external stakeholders for their collaborative efforts in tracking down Mdluli.
General Gerber emphasized the importance of community involvement in combating criminality, highlighting the unity between law enforcement and local residents in the pursuit of justice. The successful apprehension of Mdluli serves as a testament to the power of collective action in upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability for heinous crimes.
