MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Two police officers from Swellendam, a husband and wife team serving in the Da Gamaskop police cluster, have been lauded for their excellent work in arresting a 33-year-old Zimbabwean man, who is a suspect in several crimes including theft, housebreaking, kidnapping as well as several cases of murder committed in Mossel Bay, Swellendam, Wolseley and De Doorns.
Teacher murdered
The suspect, Linos Suluman Chinbetu, who has already appeared in court, is accused of the murder of a Mossel Bay primary school teacher, Lungelwa Dangatye (47), who was found dead in her home in the JCC residential area, Mossel Bay, on 19 December 2017.
At the time of the crime, concerned family members forced open the door to her home. Police reported that the deceased's house was securely locked.
Her body was found with hands tied behind the back. There were serious wounds to the head, the police reported.
Soon after Dangatye's murder, the Da Gamaskop Police Station detectives started looking for a suspect, said to be a Zimbabwean man, known only as Prince.
The case was investigated by Sgt Deothine Vaas of the Da Gamaskop police, before the docket was transferred to a police task team in Swellendam. The suspect appeared in the Swellendam Magistrate's Court on Monday, 11 February.
Another court appearance has been scheduled for today, 19 February, during which the suspect will apply for bail. The investigating officer is Wo Suzette Lourens of the Suurbraak Police Station.
Crimes in 2016
According to the police, Chinbetu's arrest is also linked to crimes committed in 2016. These include the abduction of two women from Worcester, who were allegedly murdered in Swellendam.
Chinbetu is also accused of the abduction of two other women from Wolseley, who were also allegedly murdered - in Swellendam. Some of the bodies were found close to the Spioenskop Nature Reserve in Swellendam. The murder of an unidentified man from De Doorns is also being investigated in which Chinbetu seems to be a suspect.
Arrest
Constables Enrico and Janene Albertus followed up information received from a source and set up an appointment with Chinbetu.
This was followed by his arrest at the Swellenmark Mall on Saturday, 9 February.
The constables have been praised by the deputy commander of the Da Gamaskop police cluster, Col Una Saayman, for their excellent work in arresting the suspect. They have been awarded certificates of excellence.
Constables Enrico and Janene Albertus with the deputy commander of the Da Gamaskop police cluster, Col Una Saayman, and Capt Errol Johnson.
Detectives at the Da Gamaskop Police Station (pictured) in Mossel Bay played a major role in the investigation. Photo: Cornelle Carstens'We bring you the latest Mossel Bay, Garden Route news'
