By Everson Luhanga
Sergeant Keisha Mabunda has won an award for his sterling investigation which landed serial killer Rosemary Ndlovu behind bars.
Ndlovu, a former policewoman stationed at Tembisa South police station, was convicted of the deaths of six people: her live-in partner and five of her relatives.
Sergeant Mabunda scooped the award at the South African Police Service National Excellence Awards held in Polokwane, Limpopo on Saturday night.
Scrolla.Africa caught up with Mabunda soon after he received his award. He said the recognition meant a lot to him as Ndlovu’s case was difficult to crack. “It was a case of connecting the dots as the suspect was not directly involved in murdering people.”
He said while investigating he didn’t take weekends off, but met victims and collected watertight evidence, resulting in the conviction that Scrolla.Africa dubbed “The Killsurance Queen”.
Mabunda didn’t take the shine alone. He mentioned his gratitude to his colleague, Rosemary’s former boss and the station commander of Tembisa South police station, Colonel Nthipe Boloka, who helped trap Ndlovu in a daring sting operation.
The sergeant is confident Ndlovu will be convicted once more on fresh charges, this time for plotting to kill Boloka, in a case that is still underway in court. Ndlovu’s co-accused, Nomsa Mudau, was a police sergeant stationed at Norkem Park station.
The case against the two formers cops will be back in court on 17 and 18 April for pre-trial
Speaking at the event, Minister of Police Bheki Cele encouraged community members across the country to work with the authorities. “Police alone can’t end crime. Criminals and perpetrators live among us.
“This is why this Ministry and SAPS leadership will continue to respond and engage communities, not only when problems arise, but to continuously nurture community relations as part of the DNA of the SAPS.”
