Major Breakthrough in RBM Linked Murder Case as SAPS Arrest Hitman and Seize Firearms

In a notable advance against organized crime in Richards Bay, the South African Police Service (SAPS) Task Team has achieved a major victory in the fight against mineral theft and targeted killings of executives. The breakthrough in anti-crime efforts came with the apprehension of a man linked to the murder of a local businessman involved with Richards Bay Minerals (RBM).

Halalisani Nchunu, a 27-year-old suspected hitman, was captured in Gauteng province during coordinated police work by the state task force. Nchunu was found in possession of high-caliber weaponry, including a 9mm pistol and three AK47 rifles, with one rifle linked to the murder of entrepreneur Mr. Sipho Zwelethemba Masuku. This prominent businessman and RBM contractor was brutally murdered on August 9, 2024, in Meerensee, Richards Bay. The death scene was grim, as Masuku's Toyota Fortuner was discovered perforated with bullet holes. Remarkably, despite the intensity of the ambush, a passenger in Masuku's car survived the attack, though with injuries.

The allegations against Nchunu don’t end at the heinous killing. Charged with murder, attempted murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms, the suspect has already faced the scrutiny of the Richards Bay Magistrate Court, marking a swift legal response to his arrest.

SAPS’s intensive investigation into this matter is ongoing, and the team is actively pursuing other suspects presumed to be linked to this and potentially other assassinations. Their diligent work has drawn national attention, with the Acting National Commissioner of SAPS, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, commending the task team for their undaunted commitment to justice.

The arrest and confiscation of illegal firearms represent a significant stride toward not only solving Masuku’s murder but also dismantling the larger network of organized crime plaguing the region. As such, this case has become a critical focal point in the task force’s broader strategy to curb the recurring trend of violent crime connected to the lucrative mineral industry at RBM.

The SAPS operation against this cabal of violence sends a robust message to those engaged in the mineral theft and targeted killings of professionals tied to RBM: law enforcement is closing in, and justice will be served.