A man who was arrested for the murder of a Mpumalanga traffic chief has allegedly told police that the spot at which Judas Chiloane was killed is his hunting ground for couples engaging in sexual rendezvous.
Chiloane, 60, was attacked while engaging in an intimate encounter in the backseat of his Ford Ranger bakkie with a woman who is believed to be married. Chiloane is the traffic chief in Bushbuckridge, while the woman is said to work in the media.
Charles Mbungeni Mabuza and Howard Mashego, both 35, were arrested on Monday and appeared in court separately yesterday.
Hawks spokesperson Cpt Dineo Sekgotodi said: “The two men told us that they would normally go to the spot near Graskop Road to rob couples who use the area to engage in jola-joling in their cars.”
Chiloane’s brother Richard said: “We do not know that lady. I haven’t even seen her. What we know is that my brother was a good man who loved his family and also a member of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC). He did not drink or involved in anything wrong.”
Richard said although there may have been other women in Chilone ’ s life, the family recognised his live-in partner as his wife. He said he had three children.
Sekgotodi said Chiloane and his female companion were accosted by two men who disarmed him and then shot him in the thigh and upper body.
“The woman called for help and the police arrived. The victim was declared dead at the scene,” said Sekgotodi.
She said Chiloane’s firearm had not been found and said a suspect believed to be in possession of the gun was on the run.
Sekgotodi said Mashego had not been linked to the murder yet but faced a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm.
“One of the two suspects was placed on the crime scene, while another one is on the loose and the police are hot on his heels.
“For now, we cannot say much about the woman as she is a witness. She is not cooperative at the moment and we suspect that she is trying to protect her own marriage. We will take her statement later as she is still traumatised.”
A police source said Chiloane’s uniform was found on the ground. “They shot him in the leg. He tried [to] escape to the driver’s side through armrest and he was shot again… the officer tried to speed off for about 124m but succumbed due to injuries sustained. It seemed like the suspect took his firearm and other items and [fled].”
The cases against Mabuza and Mashego have been postponed to next week.
Sowetan
