Riot Hlatshwayo

Riot Hlatshwayo

A reserve police constable has been charged with the murder of the deputy president of Swaziland's only opposition party Thandokuhle Gabriel Mkhumane of the People's United Democratic Movement.

When he was linked to Mkhumane's killing the unidentified suspect was already awaiting trial on a charge of attempted murder.

This after he allegedly fired six shots at his mother-in-law, missing her, during an argument early this year.

Mpumalanga police say the same firearm was used in both attacks. The policeman, who is said to be in his early 30s, was stationed at the KaNyamazane police station at the time of the incidents on April 2 at about 2am. He was charged with Mkhumane's murder yesterday.

Mkhumane was accompanied by a young woman believed to be his girlfriend when the suspect pointed a firearm at him.

"He demanded money and drove off with the lovebirds to the nearby Tekwane Dam, where he forced Mkhumane into the boot of his car before repeatedly raping the woman in the car," Captain Leonard Hlathi said yesterday.

"The suspect released Mkhumane from the boot and asked the two who wanted to die first.

"He then drove with the woman to a filling station to try and draw cash using Mkhumane's cards. That's when the lady managed to escape."

The suspect was found in possession of the state-issued firearm and the lady's cellphone.