SANDF spokesperson, Mafi Mgobozi, says a board of inquiry has been instituted by the Department of Defence’s Air Supply Unit, in Pretoria, where Tshivenga was stationed. The military officer remains in police custody pending his bail application at the end of March 2019. Police spokesperson, Thandi Mbambo, told OFM News the 29-year-old military man was arrested in Johannesburg on January 25. Mbambo would not divulge much info, at this stage regarding Tshivenga’s alleged role in the murder, as preparations are underway for his imminent bail application.

It was revealed in crime analyst Karin Jacobs’ testimony, during bail proceedings for applicants one to three (Stanley Bakili, Molebatsi Mogoera and Kagiso Chabane) that the state was pursuing a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member and a Mangaung Metro employee regarding the murder. Not even three months after Jacobs’ testimony was Tshivenga, believed to be a military officer, apprehended for his alleged ties to the murder which includes phone calls made to the deceased which involved threatening him over money. A tenth person of interest was named in Jacobs’ testimony. This individual is said to be an employee at the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality. Mbambo would not confirm if there is a warrant of arrest for this person in question.

Prosecutor, Johan De Nysschen, is expected to have the indictment into the matter finalised exactly a month from now. The suspects alleged to have been involved, both directly and indirectly in Siemens’ murder, will make what is believed to be their final appearance in the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court on April 11, a month before the one year anniversary of the businessman’s murder in the basement parking area of Preller Square. De Nysschen confirms all suspects, who are between the ages of 29 and 56 years, will appear on that day for a possible Free State High Court date. They are Stanley Bakili, Mogoera Molebatsi, Kagiso Chabane, Mojalefa Jali Molusi, Moeketsi Lesia, Karabo Tau, Sizwe Mpati and now Clive Tshivenga.

Xolisile Mbebetho confessed to the crime and was convicted in November 2018 of pulling the trigger that ended Siemens’ life. Mbebetho was sentenced to 22 years in jail by the High Court and, in turn, became the state’s witness.

OFM News