Second arrest in EFF leader’s murder after three months
PRETORIA, 7 October (TownPress) — A second man has been arrested in connection with the murder of EFF Tshwane official Monica Dube, who was shot dead in front of her family at her Wallmannsthal home nearly four months ago.
The 39-year-old suspect was arrested on Tuesday evening by the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team following what police described as an intelligence-driven investigation. Investigators said they had positively linked him to Dube’s killing.
He is expected to appear in the Cullinan Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday facing a murder charge.
Dube, 44, was the EFF’s secretary in Tshwane Sub-Region 2. She was killed at her home in Wallmannsthal, north of Pretoria, on 13 June while members of her family were present.
The latest arrest follows that of Sipho Lucky Mahlangu, 34, who was taken into custody in July and has since appeared several times in the Cullinan Magistrate’s Court. He remains behind bars after abandoning his bail application.
According to allegations previously placed before the court, Mahlangu and another person entered Dube’s home through a window during the early hours of 13 June. They allegedly confronted her in her bedroom, where she was shot in the head in the presence of her children.
Her cellphone was allegedly taken before the attackers fled. The allegations have not yet been tested at trial.
The investigation took a significant turn on 4 July when Dube’s daughter allegedly recognised Mahlangu at a taxi rank and alerted police. He was subsequently arrested after having remained at large for several weeks.
The arrest of a second suspect now brings investigators closer to establishing who was involved in the killing, but one of the most important questions surrounding Dube’s death remains unanswered publicly.
Police have not disclosed a motive for the murder or explained whether they believe her political activities were connected to the attack. Authorities have also not yet publicly detailed the alleged relationship between the newly arrested man and Mahlangu.
The involvement of the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team has placed additional attention on the investigation. The specialised team investigates politically linked killings and other cases falling within its mandate, although its involvement does not by itself establish that Dube’s murder was politically motivated.
The new suspect’s first court appearance is expected to formally place the charge against him on record and could provide further details about the State’s case.
Anyone with additional information can contact the press desk at press@townpress.co.za or drop a tip on our annonymous platform https://tips.townpress.co.za/