A 37-year-old man, believed to be the alleged mastermind behind the murder of DA candidate councillor Sinovuyo Dyokwe, has been arrested in a breakthrough in the investigation into her killing.
The suspect was arrested in Parklands on Saturday, 25 July, during a joint intelligence-driven operation by Western Cape Serious Violent Crime Investigation (SVCI) detectives and the SAPS Special Task Force after allegedly evading arrest.
Police say the arrest follows an intensive investigation, aided by information from members of the public, which positively linked the suspect to the murder.
According to preliminary investigations, Dyokwe had allegedly been targeted by an extortion syndicate and forced to pay protection money. Police allege that after she refused to continue making the payments, threats were made against her.
Investigators believe that on Saturday, 20 June, after taking part in voter registration activities in Dunoon, Dyokwe was followed while returning home before two armed suspects allegedly shot and killed her.
During Saturday’s operation, police seized the vehicle allegedly used in the murder, along with seven cellular phones that will form part of the ongoing investigation.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of murder and extortion.
Police say the investigation is continuing and that further arrests are expected as detectives pursue everyone allegedly involved in the killing.
Western Cape Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Luyanda Damoyi praised the investigating team and officers involved in the operation for their dedication and perseverance.
Meanwhile, Western Cape MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais welcomed the arrest, describing it as a significant breakthrough in what appears to have been a calculated murder linked to extortion.
Marais commended SAPS investigators for their work but stressed that the arrest should be the beginning of dismantling the entire criminal network allegedly responsible.
She called on police to use all available intelligence resources to identify and arrest everyone linked to the alleged mastermind, saying organised extortion syndicates pose a serious threat to communities, businesses, public representatives and the rule of law.
Marais also urged business owners and residents not to remain silent if they are subjected to extortion, intimidation or demands for protection money, saying early reporting can help law enforcement intervene before threats escalate into violence.
She encouraged victims and witnesses to report incidents through SAPS anti-extortion channels, Crime Stop, the City of Cape Town’s anonymous tip-off line or the MySAPS mobile application.
