The third suspect wanted in connection with the brutal murder of a couple in the Kruger National Park has been arrested in Zimbabwe following a multinational law enforcement operation.
This was revealed by National Police Spokesperson Athlenda Mathe in a media statement on Friday night.
Mathe said arrest of 26-year-old Mozambican national Macandze Lionel da Marta marks a major breakthrough in the investigation and highlights growing regional cooperation in the fight against cross-border crime.
She said Da Marta was tracked down and apprehended in Zimbabwe after allegedly fleeing Mozambique in an attempt to evade arrest. He is expected to be deported to Mozambique, where he will join two co-accused in facing charges linked to the murders.
The first two suspects were arrested in Mozambique on June 1 and 2. During the operation, authorities also recovered the murdered couple’s vehicle.
Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, praised the coordinated efforts of SAPS, SANParks, Mozambique’s Criminal Investigation Directorate (SERNIC) and the Zimbabwe Republic Police in securing the arrest.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 31st SARPCCO Chiefs of Police Meeting in Malawi, Dimpane said the operation demonstrated that criminals cannot escape justice by crossing international borders.
She said the arrest underscored the strength of regional policing partnerships and intelligence-sharing mechanisms among Southern African countries.
According to Dimpane, SADC member states continue to work closely through the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) to coordinate operations and ensure that fugitives have nowhere to hide within the region.
She added that the successful arrest once again showed that joint law enforcement efforts are more effective in tackling transnational crime.
Dimpane warned that authorities would continue pursuing suspects across borders and ensuring they are brought before the courts to answer for their crimes.
