Suspect accused of six murders, crimes

SOUTH CAPE NEWS - A 33-year-old Zimbabwean man has been arrested in connection with several crimes in the South Cape and Boland.

The suspect, Linos Suluman Chinbetu, who has already appeared in court may be connected to theft, housebreaking, kidnapping as well as several cases of murder committed in Mossel Bay, Swellendam, Wolseley and De Doorns.

Teacher murdered
Chinbetu is accused of the murder of a Mossel Bay primary school teacher, Lungelwa Dangatye (47), who was found dead in her home in the JCC residential area, Mossel Bay on 19 December 2017. At the time of the crime, concerned family members forced the door open to her home. Police reported that the deceased's house was securely locked. Her body was found with her hands tied behind the back. There were serious wounds to her head.

Soon after Dangatye's murder, the Da Gamaskop detectives started looking for a suspect, said to be a Zimbabwean man, known only as Prince.

The case was investigated by Sgt Deothine Vaas before the docket was transferred to a police task team in Swellendam. The suspect appeared in the Swellendam Magistrate's Court on Monday 11 February.

Another court appearance was scheduled for 19 February. The investigating officer is Wo. Suzette Lourens of the Suurbraak Police Station.

Other crimes
According to the police, Chinbetu's arrest is also linked to crimes committed in 2016. These include the abduction of two women from Worcester, who were allegedly murdered in Swellendam.

Chinbetu is also accused of the abduction of two other women from Wolseley, who was also allegedly murdered in Swellendam.

Some of the bodies were found close to the Spioenkop Nature Reserve. The murder of an unidentified man from De Doorns is also being investigated in which Chinbetu seems to be a suspect.

Arrest
Constables Enrico and Janene Albertus followed up information received from a source and set up an appointment with Chinbetu. This was followed by his arrest at the Swellenmark Mall on Saturday 9 February.

The constables have been praised by the deputy commander of the Da Gamaskop police cluster, Col. Una Saayman for their excellent work in arresting the suspect. They have been awarded certificates of excellence.

Detectives at the Da Gamaskop Police Station (pictured) in Mossel Bay played a major role in the investigation. Photo: Cornelle Carstens