More arrest in Mthembu shooting case

06 November 2014 - 16:49 By Sapa
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Jackson Mthembu. File photo
Jackson Mthembu. File photo
Image: Sunday Times

Another five people have been arrested in connection with the shooting of ANC MP Jackson Mthembu, police said.

They were arrested on Wednesday, following the first arrest last week, Lt-Gen Solomon Makgale said.

They were all in their 20s and were arrested in their homes in an informal settlement in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga.

Mthembu was attacked while withdrawing money from an ATM in Mandela Street, Emalahleni, on October 19.

He was approached by an armed man and several others who demanded that he withdraw all his money from his account.

A scuffle ensued and Mthembu was shot. The bullet grazed his cheek and hit him in the shoulder.

The first suspect to be arrested, Joseph Makhosonke, has already appeared in court.

He would join the five other accused in the Witbank Magistrate's Court on Friday where all would face charges of attempted murder and armed robbery.

The African National Congress welcomed the arrests.

"The ANC commends the swift and unrelentless [sic] work by our law enforcement agencies, working in partnership with Absa and the use of the surveillance equipment, in the pursuit of this and other criminal matters in our country," spokesman Zizi Kodwa said in a statement.

After a 10-day hospital stay, Mthembu was discharged last week. He was booked off work until the end of November.

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