-
The late Joseph Mabuza
The family of the late former Mpumalanga department of Community, Safety, Security and Liaison, spokesperson Joseph Mabuza has expressed concern about the investigations of his death.
Mabuza died seven years ago when his motorbike collided with a bakkie on the N4 toll road in Mjejane, east of Malalane.
The driver of the vehicle fled the scene into the kingdom of Eswatini.
Joseph Mabuza was riding his motorbike when a vehicle allegedly made a U-turn and collided with him. He died on impact.
The family says what pains them most is that the suspect is known but no arrest has been made.
“The frustration we have is that the case is taking too long. Going back to the narrative previously given by the police, the suspect fled to Eswatini, which subjected the case to further investigation and initiated extradition processes. However, it seems that the administrative steps to activate the arrest of the suspect have not been completed,” says Joseph Mabuza’s widow, Winnie Mabuza.
The family says the delays have left them emotionally drained and recent allegations of police corruption in Mpumalanga have deepened their fear.
Former Provincial Police Commissioner, Semakaleng Manamela, recently claimed that dockets in high-profile cases have been manipulated.
“It does raise concerns. In a similar situation, if your case is not moving, these revelations suggest that there are other things happening within the police. It is very worrying. At some point, I felt, let me just give up, because no one is assisting us. We are just alone in this, and it causes so much pain,” says Mabuza.
#sapsHQ Community members were also introduced to the features and benefits of the MySAPS App, which enables the public to report crime, access police services, and receive important safety alerts. The engagement formed part of ongoing efforts by the South African Police Service… pic.twitter.com/9bfLdS5ggv
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) April 26, 2026
Police say the case was prioritised. A case of culpable homicide is being investigated and that the extradition process is underway.
“It was not as if the docket was just lying idle. From the record we have, there were instructions given that this needed to be done so that we could proceed with the extradition. However, since then, it has been with the NPA. We also received information that the response regarding our application for extradition will only be attended to on the 1st of May,” says Mpumalanga South African Police Service Spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli.
The family has called on authorities to fast-track the extradition process and ensure the matter is brought before court.
RELATED VIDEO | Lt-Gen Manamela alleges deep-rooted rot in MP SAPS
