Alleged Cape Town cop killer arrested, expected in court

An alleged Cape Town cop killer is expected to appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. 

This after a warrant for his re-arrest was issued earlier this year. 

Sive Sigobo, 34, was rearrested by members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as Hawks) for the alleged murder of a police officer. 

The provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi said the Hawks' National Priority Violent Crime Investigation (NPVC) together with Cape Town Flying Squad and K9 Unit arrested Sigobo on Monday, December 16. 

“It is reported that in June 2022, Warrant Officer Siyakubonga Mphakathi, 49, was shot and killed by unknown suspects in Philippi, and his service pistol was robbed," Vukubi said. 

"Two accused, Sive Sigobo and Xolisa Lufutha were previously charged on this matter, and bail was successfully opposed."

Mphakathi, who was stationed at Philippi Railway Station, was gunned down while in his Toyota Tazz on Ngulube Street. 

“The case was later remanded to the Western Cape High Court, where it was struck from the court roll because of an administration issue. Both accused were then released. Warrants of arrest were obtained for them to be re-arrested,” Vukubi said. 

Lufutha was arrested in May 2024 and has since been released on bail. 

The matter against him has been postponed until February 11, 2025, for trial in the Khayelitsha Priority Court. 

At the time, Sigobo was still at large and being sought by authorities. 

“Information was received about the whereabouts of the outstanding accused and was subsequently arrested. Sigobo will make his appearance at the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on December 17, 2024,” Vukubi said. 

robin.francke@iol.co.za

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