Cops suspect cops in resort murders

Police are on the verge of a major breakthrough in a murder investigation thought to involve several of their own.

The breakthrough into the December murder of Standerton's acting municipal manager, Joshua Maseko, was made when a team of specialist investigators and forensic analysts re-examined evidence last week.

Maseko, 37, and his friend Nelisiwe Mzamo, 27, were found bludgeoned and strangled to death at the Standerton River Park resort last year.

Maseko's body was found hidden beneath a pile of rubbish and Mzamo's close by, under dense bushes.

Maseko's badly damaged BMW was found nearby.

The two bodies were found a few days after they had booked into a chalet at the resort.

Four men found in possession of Maseko and Mzamo's personal belongings are to appear in the Standerton Magistrate's Court today.

"From the beginning there were suspicions," said a police source. "The chalet the two had booked into was too clean.

"The entire crime scene was just too perfect."

"The motive for the murders is unknown. The investigation has been complicated by the fact that it allegedly involves police."

At the time of the killings several police officers had booked chalets close to the one in which Mzamo and Maseko were staying.

The source would not elaborate on the investigators' findings for fear of jeopardising the investigations.

"What was found indicates a series of events different to that [given the] investigators.

"The team of Hawks investigators, whose investigation is being overseen by the national head of detectives, Lieutenant-General Vinesh Munoo, believe they have the breakthrough they need."

Hawks spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko said: "All I can say is that a number of very positive leads are being followed.

"The case is sensitive. It is being overseen by our national detective head, and other senior and highly experienced detectives."

The Hawks team is said to include investigators involved in the Oscar Pistorius case.

Another source said Munoo was overseeing the case because of the possibility that policemen were involved in the murders.

"This is a high-profile investigation. It requires expert investigative support, which is why senior national detectives are involved."