Richards Bay: A SAPS task team deployed to prevent, combat, and investigate criminal activities linked to the theft of minerals and the murders of executives and businessmen at Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) mine has registered a breakthrough in a murder case involving a prominent businessman in the area. This week, the task team traced 27-year-old Halalisani Nchunu to the Gauteng province. Nchunu was found with a 9mm pistol and three AK47s, one of which has been linked to the murder of the businessman in question.

According to South African Police Service, Nchunu has already appeared before the Richards Bay Magistrate Court on charges of murder, attempted murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms. He is being linked to the murder of Mr. Sipho Zwelethemba Masuku, an RBM contractor, who was murdered on August 9, 2024, in Meerensee, Richards Bay. Masuku was found in his Toyota Fortuner, which was riddled with bullet holes. A passenger in the same vehicle as Masuku was also shot but survived.

The SAPS task te
am is actively pursuing other suspects believed to have been involved in this assassination. The Acting National Commissioner of SAPS, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, has commended the relentless efforts of the task team for working tirelessly in tracing those responsible for the theft of minerals at RBM and those linked to the murders of executives and businessmen associated with the mine.