Relative arrested for police murder

2011-05-02 19:42

Durban - A family member was arrested on Monday for the murder of a Durban policewoman and her partner, the Hawks said.

The 30-year-old was arrested in Phoenix and was in possession of a Z88 pistol, spokesperson McIntosh Polela said in a statement.

Constable Noluthando Zakwe, 25, and S’bahle Buthelezi, 24, were gunned down in the driveway of Zakwe’s home in Avoca Hills, Durban on April 27.

The Mercury reported that Zakwe worked at the Durban Harbour police station, while Buthelezi was a data typist at the Greenwood Park police station.

The couple were high school sweethearts who had planned to marry in November. Zakwe was about seven months pregnant with her first child when she was killed.

Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Mdunge told the newspaper the two were sitting in Zakwe's car when they were killed. He said three men with handguns shot Zakwe in the back and Buthelezi in the head and chest.

“It would appear that it was three men. We suspect that they used handguns. The motive isn’t clear at this stage. It could have been a love triangle or hijacking. Nothing was taken from them or the vehicle.”

- SAPA