A 24-year-old man is expected to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday, August 11, on the murder of an official from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa). 

The suspect is the fourth person linked to the murder of Regional Manager at Prasa, Jacob Khoaele, 53, who was gunned down in a hail of bullets in Shelbourne Avenue in La Lucia on January 22, 2025. 

Khoaele was travelling in his Ford Ranger when he was accosted. 

The provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, said the case was handed over to members of the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime: Murder and Robbery Unit detectives. 

“Detectives cracked the case and arrested 35-year-old twin brothers Vukani and Vukile Mchunu on July 27, 2025. Investigations also pointed to 38-year-old Sandile Sakhile Ngcobo, the suspected mastermind of the murder,” Netshiunda said. 

Ngcobo made his first court appearance on August 4. He also faces triple murder and attempted murder charges. 

He allegedly shot and killed three people accused of murder they committed in Msinsini in 2021. According to police, the three victims had just appeared in court when they were shot and killed inside their vehicle in Hibberdene on June 27, 2024. A passerby sustained a gunshot wound during the shooting incident. 

The latest suspect was arrested by detectives on August 8. 

“The Murder and Robbery Unit detectives made yet another breakthrough when their investigations led them to Scottsburgh Magistrate’s Court where the fourth suspect, a 24-year-old man, was arrested while appearing on a case of house robbery and attempted murder where he allegedly shot a homeowner before stealing his vehicle in Hibberdene on November 11, 2024,” Netshiunda said.

The Mchunu twins and Ngcobo are expected back in court on Tuesday, August 12. 

Police confirmed they are still searching for two more suspects involved in the murder. 

robin.francke@iol.co.za

IOL

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