Metro cop murder accused returns to Durban Magistrate’s Court
The accused are each facing charges of murder, kidnapping and two counts of robbery with aggravated circumstances.
THE three accused charged with the murder of Wentworth Metro police Superintendent Errol Ogle are expected to appear at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday (January 20).
The three accused, Mlungisi Phakamani Mpanza (37), Mzomuhle Lawrence Gamede (34), and Sabelo Mncube (42) are each facing charges of murder, kidnapping and two counts of robbery with aggravated circumstances.
Also read: Wentworth detective makes major breakthrough in murder cases
Superintendent Ogle (52), a Wentworth resident, was killed on July 20, 2023, when he noticed a truck that was driving counter-traffic on the Hans Dettman Highway near the off-ramp in Pinetown.
Ogle was killed at the scene while performing his duties
On their previous court appearance, it emerged that Ogle was unaware that the vehicle had been hijacked.
The court also heard that Ogle instructed the truck to stop, however, the accused jumped out of the truck and fired shots at him. He sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and died at the scene.
Also read: Metro police bust alleged house break-in suspects in Wentworth
According to information received from the police, the suspects took the officer’s vehicle and firearm and fled the scene. The officer’s car was later recovered on Stapleton Road.
The witness, who is an e-hailing taxi driver, told the court he transported four men from uMlazi in his car after they promised to pay him R1 000 for a trip.
The Hawks took over the investigation, and with the assistance of the Metro police, they arrested the suspects within 72 hours last year.
Mpanza fled and was later arrested in Estcourt. Days after the murder, police also detained Gamede and Mncube.
Gamede and Mncube were arrested in Durban while Mpanza was arrested in Estcourt after he tried to evade his arrest.
The fourth suspect was killed last year in uMlazi
Ogle was a Metro police officer stationed at Queensburgh, where he served the community for 23 years.
In October last year, the fourth suspect who had been on the run after the incident was killed during a shootout with police in uMlazi, Z-Section. The suspect was killed for his alleged involvement in Ogle’s murder.
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