GAUTENG – Convicted armed robber, Akim Phathisani Masuku (33) appeared in the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 07 September 2022, after the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation linked him to the murder of Constable Tshifhiwa Evans Manyuwa (39), and attempted murder of Constable Tsoyi Frans Manyane (48) on 02 April 2016 at Ivory Park.
The police officials attached to Ivory Park police station crime office were on duty during the fateful day, driving an unmarked vehicle when they came across a group of people reportedly obstructing the road. When the officers intervened, one of the civilians pulled out a firearm and fatally wounded Constable Manyuwa whilst his crew, Constable Manyane sustained injuries. Both officers were robbed of their service pistols during the ordeal.
Following police investigation, Masuku who is a foreign national was arrested on 14 November 2016, for possession of the late officer’s firearm. He was subsequently linked to various other violent house robbery cases of which he was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment on 30 August 2017.
Masuku was recently brought to Gauteng from a Limpopo correctional facility to face charges of murder and attempted murder of the police officials. The court postponed the case to 05 October 2022, for the case to be transferred to a High Court in Johannesburg.
Source: South African Police Service