The KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) has made a breakthrough in the murder of Inkosi Siphamandla Khumalo and his wife, Queen Thuthukile Khumalo, who were ambushed on the R34 near Utrecht while travelling to a traditional event in Nquthu in October 2023. The PKTT on Thursday nabbed an awaiting trial prisoner for the murder of the Khumalos.
Image: Meta
Officers attached to the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) have arrested a 29-year-old awaiting trial prisoner in connection with the murder of AmaNtungwa traditional leader Inkosi Sphamandla Khumalo, 41, and his wife, Queen Thuthukile Khumalo.
The suspect was arrested on Thursday for the October 2023 killings.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said investigators executed a warrant of arrest while the suspect was already in custody in Gauteng.
“Inkosi Khumalo, who was the Inkosi of AmaNtungwa, was travelling with his wife and their four-year-old son along the R34 in Baltusspruit, Nhlazadolo, on the morning of October 28, 2023, when they were ambushed by two suspects who allegedly opened fire on them from inside a vehicle,” said Netshiunda.
He said the victims’ vehicle veered off the road before stopping in an open field, where the attackers allegedly continued firing at the couple. The Khumalos were ambushed on their way to a traditional event in Nquthu.
“When police arrived at the scene, the four-year-old son was found unharmed in a pool of blood. His parents were declared dead at the scene,” he added.
The Khumalo murder docket was later transferred to the PKTT and became part of the widely scrutinised “121 dockets” that were central to the Madlanga Commission.
The dockets were controversially removed from the task team during the December 2024 holidays, sparking allegations of interference, before being returned to the unit for further investigation.
According to police, investigations revealed that the suspect had been arrested in Gauteng for the murder of two people, including a police officer, in Kagiso.
“He was also found in possession of three AK47 assault rifles. Ballistic results matched one of the rifles to the crime scene where Inkosi Khumalo and his wife were killed,” said Netshiunda.
Police added that the suspect is also linked to several other murders in Richards Bay and elsewhere in the country.
The accused appeared in the Utrecht Magistrate’s Court on Friday facing two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi praised the PKTT for its persistence in pursuing the case.
Buthelezi said the arrest brought some relief to the Khumalo family, the AmaNtungwa Traditional Council and the wider institution of traditional leadership.
He also urged communities to assist law enforcement agencies with information related to attacks on amakhosi and izinduna.
“We urge members of the public to come forward with credible information that will assist in ending these senseless killings. Community cooperation is vital in restoring safety and stability,” said Buthelezi.
For more from the Sunday Tribune, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X