Police in the Eastern Cape have arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of a man whose body was discovered earlier this month near Sandile Dam, in what authorities have described as a significant investigative breakthrough.
The arrests follow weeks of meticulous detective work after the body of an unidentified African male was found on March 15, 2026, with a gunshot wound to the head. At the time, investigators faced a major challenge, with no immediate leads and the victim’s identity unknown.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa, detectives from Keiskammahoek were eventually able to identify the deceased as Lwazi Roji from Mdantsane, KuGompo, through sustained investigative efforts.
“Through diligent investigation, detectives positively identified the deceased,” Mawisa said, adding that the case initially presented “no clues and no leads to follow.”
The investigation took a decisive turn when police uncovered information linking the victim to one of the suspects. Authorities established that Roji had left his home in the company of the alleged suspect under the pretext of transporting a mechanic to Dimbaza. He never returned.
This discovery led to the arrest of the first suspect and the recovery of a vehicle that had been entrusted to the group by the victim’s mother.
Further inquiries led detectives to a property belonging to a relative of the suspect, where they recovered the stripped remains of the same vehicle. The suspect was subsequently apprehended in Clubview, Qonce.
Police said continued investigation directed officers to Mngqesha Location, where a firearm believed to be linked to the crime was recovered. A second suspect was arrested at the scene.
Both suspects now face charges of murder. In addition, one suspect has been charged with theft of a motor vehicle, while the other faces an additional charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm.
The Acting District Commissioner, Brigadier Zinakile Freddie, praised the investigative team for their persistence in solving a case that initially appeared to have little direction.
“Your determination and dedication in revealing the truth in the case gives hope to the community and to the deceased family,” Freddie said in a statement, commending the teamwork displayed by the detectives.
Police have not yet disclosed the ages of the suspects, and investigations remain ongoing.
The arrests bring a measure of relief to the victim’s family and the broader community, highlighting the role of sustained investigative work in addressing serious violent crime, even in cases that begin without clear evidence.