A suspect has been arrested in connection with the murd@r of Sgt Leah Malebye, whose lifeless body was discovered by her six-year-old grandson on Saturday, January 25.
Malebye, a police officer attached to the Rooiberg police station in Limpopo’s Waterberg District, had reportedly returned home with her boyfriend on the night of her de@th.
Police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba revealed that the motive remains unclear, though domestic violence has not been ruled out. The 43-year-old suspect, identified as her boyfriend, was apprehended after turning himself into the police in Klipgat, North West province, early Thursday morning.
“Initial reports suggest the sergeant returned home on Saturday night with her boyfriend. The next morning, her lifeless body was discovered by her six-year-old grandson. At that time, both the boyfriend and the sergeant’s vehicle were missing,” said Ledwaba.
Neighbours alerted the authorities, and emergency services confirmed Malebye’s de@th at the scene. Her vehicle was later found abandoned approximately 50km from her home along Thabazimbi Road near Koedoeskop.
Limpopo police commissioner Lt-Gen Monica Hadebe commended the swift action leading to the suspect’s arrest. “I am pleased that within days of this senseless killing, the police acted swiftly and managed to arrest this callous criminal. I am confident the investigating team will present a watertight case in court to ensure the suspect receives the harshest possible sentence,” she stated.
This incident highlights the continued violence faced by South African police officers. In April, it was reported that 109 officers were killed nationwide within 11 months, with 36 of those deaths occurring on duty. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has expressed the government’s intent to assist families of fallen officers in pursuing civil claims against perpetrators, aiming to hold them financially accountable.
At a recent Police Charity Golf Day in KwaZulu-Natal, R11 million was raised for the SAPS Education Trust Fund, which supports the educational needs of children whose police officer parents d!ed in the line of duty. In November, an additional R6.6 million was pledged to the fund during the Gauteng Provincial Excellence Awards.