The Hawks have made a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the tragic death of Sergeant Ntombi Mbanjwa, a 33-year-old KwaZulu-Natal policewoman who was fatally shot in her home in Umzimkhulu on April 11, 2024.
Mbanjwa was discovered lifeless by her fiancé, Sergeant Ntokozo Mngqithi, when he arrived home later that evening. The shooting incident, which occurred in the absence of any witnesses, initially left authorities with few clues.
Months of investigation followed, and on November 25, 2024, the Hawks arrested Mngqithi in connection with Mbanjwa’s murder. Both Mbanjwa and Mngqithi were stationed at the same police station in Umzimkhulu. Mngqithi appeared before the Umzimkhulu Magistrate’s Court on charges of murder. His bail application was heard in December last year, though the matter is still ongoing.
In a new development this week, the Hawks apprehended the 36-year-old suspect in the early hours of Thursday morning in the Mpolweni area, near Pietermaritzburg. The accused is now facing charges of murder and is expected to appear before the Umzimkhulu Magistrate’s Court on Friday, January 17, 2025.
The arrest marks an important step in the ongoing investigation, which has left the community grappling with the loss of a dedicated law enforcement officer. The Hawks continue to follow all leads, and the case remains under close scrutiny as it moves forward.
