Byline: Refeloe Letsoisa

02 June 2025

The Hawks’ Nelspruit-based Serious Organized Crime Investigation has taken over the investigation after a police constable, 29-year-old Khulani Chabangu, two other clients, and a barber were robbed of their personal belongings at gunpoint. 

According to information, the police official, two clients, and the barber were still in the barbershop, and business was running as normal in Lillydale, Calcutta, on Friday, 30 May 2025, at about 23h00.

It is alleged that two armed suspects stormed the barbershop.

They allegedly instructed the barber and the clients to lie down on their stomachs. Money was robbed from the barber, cellphones were taken from other clients, and the police official was forced to undress and robbed of his clothes, car keys, and cellphone. 

Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim sustained several gunshot wounds on his upper body, after which he succumbed to these injuries. 

His vehicle that was robbed was recovered in the vicinity, and no other injuries were reported to other victims. 

The murder docket was registered at Calcutta SAPS, and the docket was handed over to the Hawks Nelspruit-based Serious Organized Crime Investigation for further handling. The Hawks would like to request assistance from community members in locating or identifying the suspects. Please contact the investigating officer, Constable Benediction Mabilane, at 076 815 8324. Alternatively, community members may contact our Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. All received information will be treated as confidential, and callers may opt to remain anonymous. 

The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, raises a serious concern regarding lives that are lost through the barrel of a gun. “Not only family members lost their beloved one, but the South African Police Service and the community at large lost a foot soldier. We are fully prepared to leave no stone unturned until we come face-to-face with the perpetrators. We will only rest when justice is served for Constable Chabangu,” concluded the general.