Algoa FM news
A 25-year-old suspect standing trial for the murder of a Gqeberha flying squad member has finally been identified as Sibusiso Mchunu.
During his bail hearing in 2019, the media was barred from revealing Mchunu's identity, but this has now changed as his trial has started in the High Court in Gqeberha.
He briefly appeared in court where the matter was postponed to Wednesday.
Mchunu and four others allegedly robbed Le Bon Bakery in Central in January of 2019.
The State alleges that one of the robbers entered the bakery by pretending to be a customer.
The other armed suspects followed and forced the employees to hand over cash from the safe.
Two employees were also robbed of their personal belongings.
The State says one employee was able to activate the panic button and members of the flying squad responded to the scene.
Thirty-one-year-old Constable Dwane Kemp and his partner, Constable Musa Hans, responded to the scene.
Kemp was wounded in the crossfire with the suspects and his partner Constable Hans returned fire, killing four suspects, while Mchunu managed to escape.
Constable Kemp died in hospital hours after the robbery.
Mchunu was arrested by the Hawks at his parents’ home in Algoa Park a few days later.
The 25-year-old faces 16 charges, including five of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery and the possession of an unlicensed firearm
Although the four robbers were killed by police gunfire, Mchunu will be charged with their murders.
It is the State's case that Mchunu used his dad's car and firearm during the robbery.
A statement from the Investigating Officer revealed that the Mchunu was linked to the incident after his father reported his firearm missing at the Algoa Park Police station days after the robbery.
The Court also heard that the Volkswagen Jetta that belongs to his father had a tracker device that showed that it had been parked in Rose Street near the bakery on that day.
Constable Kemp's wife, Candice was pregnant at the time of his murder.
