By More Matshediso
Pretoria - A 25-year-old man has been arrested following the murder of Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates Captain, Senzo Meyiwa, who was shot dead last Sunday.
Zanokuhle Mbatha was arrested after police received information about a number of suspects.
Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale of South African Police Services (SAPS) said an identity parade was conducted on Thursday, during which some of the witnesses identified one person.
“During consultation with the prosecution team, it was decided that this person should be arrested and charged on the basis of the positive identification by some of the witnesses,” he said.
He said Mbatha has been remanded in custody and will reappear in court on 11 November.
“We are continuing with our investigations,” Makgale said.
He added that though a lot of progress have been made, it is important to note that Mbatha is a suspect at the moment.
“We therefore must allow due process of the law to take its course,” he said.
Makgale said investigations are at a very sensitive stage at the moment and SAPS will only be in a position to update the nation on Monday.
“There are still other suspects outstanding and we appeal to the public to continue providing information in support of the investigation,” he added.
Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu has welcomed Mbatha’s arrest, and commended law enforcement agencies for apprehending the alleged killer.
He said murderers and criminals had no place to hide in the country.
Premier Mchunu said this after the memorial service held at the Durban City Hall on Friday, which was attended by more than 4 000 people.
“The lesson that we must learn from him [Meyiwa] is that the admiration that we get from the members of the public should serve as an inspiration to all of us,” the Premier said.
“As government we offer to Orlando Pirates and the Meyiwa family our support during this sad period. We hope you will amass enough strength and courage to deal with this sad loss,” the Premier said.
Today, thousands of South Africans and soccer fans are gathered at Moses Mabhida in Durban to say their final goodbye to Meyiwa.
He will be laid to rest at Heroes Accre in Chesterville, where other heroes such as Nat Nakasa are buried.
“Our message as government is that we will forever cherish and fondly remember his selfless contribution towards the success of Bafana Bafana and his own club – Orlando Pirates,” the Premier said. - SAnews.gov.za
