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SENZO MEYIWA

CAPE TOWN. — A 25-year-old man has reportedly appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court for the murder and robbery of Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa.

According to Power FM, the suspect made a brief appearance in court yesterday and is expected to be back in court on November 11.

According to Sapa senior prosecutor Henk Strydom confirmed the arrest and court appearance to TimesLive.com, while eNCA identified him as Zanokuhle Mbatha.

“I can confirm that a suspect has appeared this afternoon (at the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court),” Strydom was quoted as saying.

“That’s all I can say at the moment, other than to add that the suspect in question has applied for legal assistance and the matter has been postponed to 11 November.”

Earlier police denied reports that a man was arrested at Beitbridge on the border with Zimbabwe.

At the time police spokesperson Neville Malila said: “I still maintain that no arrests have been made. We don’t have (anybody).”

He said investigations were continuing.

The Star reported that police had arrested two suspects believed to be linked to Meyiwa’s killing around 06:00 at the border as they were trying to skip the country into Zimbabwe.

According to a local South African Revenue Service (Sars) official, the pair had passed the main gate and the Sars office and were at the last gate before Zimbabwe when they were arrested.

The men reportedly resembled the two men in the identikits released by the police earlier this week, The Star reported.

A second source reportedly told the newspaper that the two would be transferred to Johannesburg.

“As I speak to you, they are being taken to Polokwane through the Alldays route by a convoy of police vehicles. I think the police are using that route because they are trying to avoid (drawing) attention from the public, which they would do if they used the N1 (main road between Musina and Polokwane),” the source was quoted as saying.

Although Otto was quoted as telling the newspaper that no arrests had been made, The Star quoted a high-ranking source within the Limpopo police confirming the arrests.

“I am aware of the arrests, but as you know I’m not authorised to speak (to the media),” the third source was quoted as saying.

Earlier, the City Press online reported a similar story.

“Details are sketchy, but police sources involved in the arrest have confirmed it and told City Press that the suspect is being escorted to Polokwane.

“From there, he will probably be transferred to Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, where Meyiwa was shot dead on Sunday night at his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s home,” the report said.

Meyiwa, who was also the Orlando Pirates captain, was killed when two attackers entered Khumalo’s house around 20:00 on Sunday.

They apparently demanded cellphones and money. One cellphone was stolen. The men then fled the scene on foot. — News24/Sapa.