Cop, hitman arrested for murder

2010-08-30 20:06

Bloemfontein - A Free State policeman and a suspected hitman he allegedly hired to kill his wife have been arrested in the province, police said on Monday.

Investigations into the murder of Moipone Mathibela, 44, of Meloding near Virginia, led to the arrest of her husband, a police detective, police spokesperson Sergeant Mmako Mophiring said.

"The investigation directed police to Bloemfontein where a suspected hired hitman was arrested at Freedom Square."

Mophiring said the motive behind Moipone Mathibela's killing was not yet known. She was apparently attacked after coming home from work, at a local mine, and shot dead on August 18. Her husband, stationed at the Virginia detective service, found her and summoned the neighbours and police to the scene.

She was buried the last weekend in Meloding.

The two men were expected to appear before the Virginia Magistrate's Court on Tuesday to face a murder charge.

- SAPA