In a major breakthrough, Prince Gift Mdluli, the sixth suspect in the brutal murder of Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius, has been arrested in Komatipoort, Mpumalanga. Mdluli had been on the run since January 16, 2025, after Pretorius was gunned down in Ermelo.
The arrest was made possible by a tip-off from community members, who reported Mdluli’s whereabouts to the police. He was found wearing “dirty and worn-out” clothes in a clothing shop in Komatipoort. Mdluli will join his five co-accused, who are still in custody, and face charges related to the murder.
Pretorius, the Unit Commander of the Ermelo Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit, was shot execution-style in broad daylight. Five suspects, including a former police official, were arrested in connection with the murder and are currently in custody.
The police have commended the community for their involvement in the arrest, stating that it’s a clear indication that communities are standing behind law enforcement and are tired of criminality.
