BOYFRIEND WHO MURDERED GIRLFRIEND NABBED IN NORTH WEST AFTER MEDIA HOUSES AND SOCIAL MEDIA COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE

27-year-old Simiso Silomo Phakathi arrested in North West for murder of his girlfriend photo supplied

By Brigadier Athlenda Mathe
SAPS National Spokesperson

The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has commended communities across the country, particularly the community of Joubertina in Klerksdorp, for responding swiftly to the SAPS call for assistance in tracing 27-year-old Simiso Silomo Phakathi who is wanted in connection with the murder of his 37-year-old girlfriend, Jabulisile Josephina Tshabalala, in Soweto.

Lieutenant General Dimpane has also thanked the media houses that amplified the SAPS appeal and helped ensure that the suspect’s image reached communities far and wide.

Within four hours of SAPS releasing the suspect’s details, members of the Joubertina community provided critical information to the police after recognising him from his photograph, which had been widely circulated across television, radio, social media and online platforms.

The suspect has since been arrested and will be transported back to Johannesburg, where he will face the full might of the law for the murder of his girlfriend.

Lieutenant General Dimpane has welcomed the swift response from the community and the media, emphasising that this arrest demonstrates the power of a united society working alongside the police.

“More can be achieved when communities and the media support the work of the police. The swift response from the people of Klerksdorp shows that communities have a critical role to play in keeping our country safe.

We thank every person who shared the suspect’s photograph, provided information and helped us bring him within reach of the law.”

The Acting National Commissioner has further urged communities to continue speaking up and providing information to the police whenever they recognise wanted suspects.

SAPS reiterates that there is no hiding place for perpetrators of serious and violent crimes.

Those who commit such crimes will be pursued relentlessly, wherever they may be, until they are brought before a court of law.

As SAPS observes Women’s Month, the organisation is intensifying its fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and strengthening efforts to ensure that perpetrators of violence against women are swiftly identified, arrested and brought before the courts.