Cellphone records have revealed an alleged communication pattern between the three men accused of the July 20, 2023, hijacking of a Chester Wholesale Meats truck and the subsequent murder of Durban Metro Police Officer Errol George Ogle on the M7 highway in Queensburgh.

The accused are Mlungisi Phakamani Mpanza, 37, Mzomuhle Lawrence Gamede, 34, and Sabelo Mncube, 42. They allegedly hijacked the truck, which was carrying meat valued at R731,530 and allegedly killed Ogle when he stopped to investigate after the vehicle had stalled.

Lieutenant Colonel Monique Vermeulen, a crime intelligence analyst with the South African Police Service, testified in the Durban High Court on Tuesday that there was communication among the trio, as well as with two other individuals named Vuyokhule Jam-Jam and Khaye, around the time of the incident. 

The court was told that Mpanza sought revenge against Chester Wholesale Meats for his dismissal following his involvement in an unlawful strike.

Vermeulen’s analysis of cellphone records placed all the accused at Chester Wholesale Meats in Pinetown and on the M7 on the day of the incident. While Khaye is not currently before the court, Jam-Jam has testified against his alleged accomplices, who are in custody.

Vermeulen, who has 23 years of experience, clarified to the court that her analysis was limited to tracking cellphones.

According to the indictment, Mpanza conspired with Mncube to rob one of the delivery trucks, so they could sell the meat to another butchery. They enlisted the help of Gamede and the others.

On the morning of July 20, the trio allegedly followed the Chester Meats truck along the M7 and successfully intercepted it. The indictment states that they intentionally assaulted and kidnapped the truck driver, Kishore Lakraj, forcing him into the back of the vehicle, before driving off.

However, after approximately 50 meters, the truck stalled on the M7 off-ramp, facing oncoming traffic. 

“Immediately thereafter, a metro police vehicle driven by Ogle approached and stopped a short distance away from the truck.” 

One of the accused allegedly exited the truck, approached Ogle with a firearm, and shot him in the chest, resulting in instant death. 

“They pulled his body out of the metro vehicle, took his firearm, and drove off with the patrol vehicle, leaving Ogle’s body on the ground,” read the indictment.

nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za

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