Update: Suspect arrested while in a lift to Gauteng after Embalenhle tavern shooting
Suspect linked to Embalenhle double murder arrested.
Image: Supplied
A 35-year-old man linked to the murder of two men at a tavern in Embalenhle was arrested after he was found in a lift to Gauteng from Mpumalanga.
The man is accused of fatally shooting Siyabonga Fortune Hlapo, 25, and Ratile Motloung, 24, on New Year's Day.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said the man was nabbed between Leandra and Devon after a collaborative work between Crime Intelligence, Embalenhle Detective Services and Visible Policing, Secunda Flying Squad, as well as members from Kinross SAPS.
He said the man was found on Saturday, January 3, 2026, in white Nissan Almera after hitchhiking.
"During his arrest, a firearm with ammunition and two magazines, was recovered. The serial number of the seized firearm was filed off and police believed this could have been the weapon that was used during the murder incident.
"The firearm will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether it was not used in the commission of crime elsewhere, including the recent double murder incident in Embalenhle," said Mdhluli.
Mdhluli said the suspect is facing various charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm with ammunition and police are still trying to connect him to the double murder incident
Meanwhile, the acting provincial police commissioner Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, praised the team for tracing and arresting the suspect.
"This is a testament of sheer determination of our resolution to deal decisively with crime. The 72-hour pan that was activated has surely yielded positive results. Criminals should know that if you commit crime in this province, you will be arrested, end of the story, " said Mkhwanazi.
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