Special task team will investigate Meyiwa murder

National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega has set up a special task team to investigate the murder of Senzo Meyiwa. The reward for information has also been increased to R250,000.Image: SACSIS

Phiyega told reporters in Johannesburg that the team will be led by the Gauteng Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Major General Tebello Mosikili.

The investigators in the team are from the national and provincial investigation divisions. They will also be assisted by the provincial and national crime intelligence as well as the Visible Policing and War Room divisions.

Phiyega said investigators are still at the crime scene gathering evidence.

She said the suspects fled with one cell phone, which was on the charger at the time of the incident. The cell phone, she said, does not belong to the deceased.

Phiyega said indications at this stage are that Meyiwa was killed during a house robbery in Mzamo Section 28, Vosloorus, while visiting friends on Sunday night (26 October).

It is alleged that two suspects entered the house and confronted the occupants, while a third suspect waited outside.

According to Phiyega, a shot was fired, hitting Meyiwa in the upper body. He was taken to the local hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

The three suspects fled on foot.

"There were seven people in the house when the incident occurred and we need to put on record that the deceased was shot when moving towards the door and he was not protecting any specific individual," said Phiyega.

According to the Phiyega, the two suspects who entered the house are believed to be in their late 20s and early 30s.

"One suspect is tall, slender, dark skinned with dreadlocks and the other is short, dark and well-built," she said. Phiyega said the initial reward of R150,000 has been increased to R250,000 to help police with information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators.

"Cases of murder and house robbery are under investigation and we are appealing to the community to assist. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stop on 08600-10111 or SMS Crime Line on 32211," she said.