Suspect Number Four Held for the Murder of Prasa Manager in La Lucia
Arrests Made in Connection with the Murder of Prasa Regional Manager, But Two Suspects Remain at Large
In a series of developments, four suspects have been arrested in relation to the murder of Jacob Khoaele, the regional manager of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), who was killed in La Lucia in January 2022. However, police continue their search for at least two more suspects who are still at large.
On June 27, 2024, three individuals were shot dead inside a vehicle in Hibberdene, an event that was later linked to the Khoaele murder case. Among the deceased was a man named Khoaele, who was killed in a hail of bullets on Shelbourne Avenue. A passer-by also sustained a gunshot wound during the incident in Hibberdene.
Detectives cracked the case and arrested twin brothers Vukani and Vukile Mchunu, aged 35, on July 27. The investigation was then handed to provincial serious and violent crime, murder, and robbery detectives. Sandile Sakhile Ngcobo, allegedly the mastermind behind the killing of Jacob Khoaele, was arrested on August 4, 2022.
In addition to the Mchunu twins and Ngcobo, a 24-year-old man was arrested at the Scottsburgh Magistrate’s Court on November 11, 2024, on charges of house robbery and attempted murder. However, it is important to note that this suspect is not directly linked to the Khoaele murder case.
Ngcobo is also an accused in a triple murder and attempted murder case in which he allegedly shot dead three people in Msinsini in 2021. He made his first appearance in court on August 4, 2022.
The suspect arrested at the Scottburgh magistrate's court is expected to appear in the Durban magistrate's court on Monday. The remaining suspects wanted in connection with the murder of Jacob Khoaele are still at large, and the police are actively searching for them.
The police continue efforts to apprehend these two remaining suspects linked to the murder of Jacob Khoaele. The shooting incident in Hibberdene, where Khoaele was killed, occurred independently from the Khoaele investigation.
Remembering Jacob Khoaele, aged 53, who lost his life in the tragic incident in La Lucia. The police urge anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the two remaining suspects to come forward.
| Arrested Suspects | Status | |------------------------------------------|----------------------------| | Vukani Mchunu (35) | Arrested | | Vukile Mchunu (35) | Arrested | | Sandile Sakhile Ngcobo (38) (Mastermind) | Arrested | | 24-year-old male suspect at Scottsburgh | Arrested | | Unknown two suspects | Still at large / wanted |
- The South African police have arrested four individuals in connection to the murder of Prasa regional manager, Jacob Khoaele, in La Lucia, but at least two more suspects are still at large.
- Among the arrested suspects are twin brothers Vukani and Vukile Mchunu, and Sandile Sakhile Ngcobo, who is said to be the mastermind behind the killing.
- Ngcobo is also an accused in a separate triple murder and attempted murder case in Msinsini in 2021.
- While a 24-year-old male suspect was arrested on charges of house robbery and attempted murder at the Scottsburgh Magistrate’s Court, he is not directly linked to the Khoaele murder case.
- The police continue their search for the two remaining suspects and urge anyone with information regarding their whereabouts to come forward, as they remain at large in the ongoing investigation.
