KEY POINTS
- Four of the five suspects accused of murdering Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius abandoned their bail applications.
- Investigations revealed a stolen BMW, linked to a 2018 robbery, was allegedly used as the getaway vehicle in the murder.
- The case has drawn widespread attention, highlighting the dangers faced by police officers in South Africa
In a dramatic turn of events at the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga, four of the five suspects accused in the brutal murder of Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius, a respected police commander, abandoned their bail applications on Tuesday.
The decision has sent shockwaves through the community, as the murder case continues to unravel the details of the crime that has gripped the province.
The murder suspects, Mthobisi Nkosi (40), Aubrey Xaba (35), Skhumbuzo Skhakhane (40), and Nyiko Mujovo (30), opted to remain in custody, while the sole female accused, Valencia Skhosana (36), proceeded with her bail application.
The five suspects were apprehended by the Hawks‘ Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit in the early hours of January 17, 2025, following their alleged involvement in the murder of Lieutenant Colonel Pretorius.
A brutal crime that shocked the nation
The 59-year-old Pretorius, who served as the Commander of the Ermelo Vehicle Investigation Unit, was shot and killed on January 16, 2025, while seated in a state vehicle.
His death has been described as a significant blow to the South African Police Service (SAPS), with colleagues and community members mourning the loss of a dedicated officer known for his unwavering commitment to justice.
During the court proceedings, Nkosi revealed that investigations into Pretorius’s murder led the Hawks to the home of one of the accused, where they uncovered a startling connection to a 2018 vehicle robbery.
“The stolen BMW is identical to the one that was found torched in Ermelo. The same vehicle was allegedly used as a getaway vehicle during the murder,” Nkosi stated.
This revelation has added a new layer of complexity to the case, suggesting a possible link between the suspects and prior criminal activities.
The four suspects who abandoned their bail applications—Nkosi, Xaba, Skhakhane, and Mujovo—are scheduled to reappear in court on April 10, 2025. Meanwhile, Skhosana will return to court on February 27 to proceed with her bail application.
The postponement, according to Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber, will allow the investigation team to gather further evidence and ensure a swift trial.
“He reaffirmed the team’s commitment and resolve to present a watertight case before court. He applauded all stakeholders involved for the way in which the matter has been dealt with thus far,” added Nkosi.
The case has drawn significant attention from law enforcement agencies and the public alike, with many calling for justice to be served swiftly and decisively.
