A 42-year-old man accused of two murders, kidnapping and hijacking is expected to appear before the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 28 October, following his arrest in Kariega.
According to the Eastern Cape police, the suspect was arrested on Monday, 26 October, by members of the Kariega Crime Prevention Unit after he was spotted at a tavern in KwaNobuhle.
Police said the suspect allegedly attempted to flee when officers approached him but was successfully apprehended.
The arrest follows an investigation into two murders and a hijacking dating back to June 2025.
Two murders reported in June 2025
According to police, the first murder was reported at Middelburg Police Station on 8 June 2025, at approximately 22:48.
It is alleged that the suspect killed a man after accusing him of having an affair with his 43-year-old wife.
Police further allege that the suspect kidnapped an adult woman and hijacked her vehicle before fleeing from Middelburg in the direction of Graaff-Reinet. A kidnapping and hijacking case was subsequently opened at Middelburg SAPS.
The 53-year-old woman was later found dead beside a road towards Murraysburg, days after she was allegedly kidnapped. A murder case was opened at Robert Sobukwe SAPS.
The hijacked vehicle was recovered in Kariega on 11 June 2025.
Suspect allegedly evaded arrest for months
The cases were later transferred to the Nxuba Serious Violent Crime Unit for further investigation.
Police said the suspect remained at large while resources were deployed to trace him. He reportedly travelled to different provinces while evading arrest.
On Monday, police received information that the suspect had been spotted at a tavern in KwaNobuhle, Kariega. Members of the Kariega Crime Prevention Unit acted on the information, leading to his arrest.
The operation involved members of the Nxuba Serious Violent Crime Unit, the Middelburg and Robert Sobukwe Crime Investigation Teams, the Nxuba and Middelburg Dog Units, as well as the Kariega and Nxuba Crime Prevention Units.
Police said the combined efforts of the teams led to the suspect’s apprehension.
Court appearances expected
The suspect is expected to appear before the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court on 28 October 2026 in connection with the murder case reported in Middelburg.
Police said he would also appear before the Robert Sobukwe Magistrate’s Court in connection with the second murder and hijacking allegations.
The Eastern Cape police said Major General Rudolph Adolph commended the teams involved in tracing and arresting the suspect.
The suspect’s court appearances will allow the allegations against him to be dealt with through the criminal justice system. He remains an accused person, and the allegations have yet to be tested in court.
Source: South African Police Service, Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner’s Office.
