Decorated senior Hawks officer gunned down in his car near Mbombela

[Peter Betts]

Time for the Hard men to do some proper interogation in the Back room

[Richprins]

Lt Col Leroy Bruwer laid to rest





Lt Col Leroy Bruwer, a national hero whose assassination shook the international anti-poaching community, will live on in the thousands whose lives he changed for the better.
13 hours ago
Helene Eloff

His broken-hearted colleagues, friends and family mourned his death during a memorial service in the city on Tuesday. National key players in the war on crime vowed that his murder would not go unavenged.

Bruwer was shot on his way to work a week prior. His colleagues, as well as members of national and provincial government agreed that his killers must have been the subjects of one of his investigations. “However, none were named. Deputy police minister, Cassel Charlie Mathale, described those responsible for his death as “the trigger men and the ones who organised his death”.



He warned, “We will leave no stone unturned until we find them and they will be brought to book.”

National Hawks head, Dr Seswantsho Godfrey Lebeya, promised, “Although we are wounded, we will not rest until we have found those responsible for his death.

“Lebeya listed highlights from Bruwer’s career with the South African police: “Since joining the police in 1990, Bruwer executed his mandate – to serve and protect – tirelessly and fearlessly,” he said.

He was promoted to the rank of police captain in 2009. In 2013, he moved from the SAPS to the Hawks, where he specialised in serious organised crimes such as poaching and cash-in-transit heists. In 2016, he was awarded the elite unit’s detective of the year award. During his career, Bruwer arrested various high-profile criminals.


Lowvelder regularly reported on his testimony against robbers and rhino poachers.

At the time of his death, he was due to testify against alleged poaching kingpins such as the notorious Petrus Sydney “Mshengu” Mabuza and Joseph “Big Joe” Nyalunga.

“He was a fearless legend,” recalled Pr Sean Bushby.

Regarding the suspects Bruwer would chase relentlessly, who are generally described as fear-inspiring, Bushby stated, “They feared him, because he wanted to do what was right.” He did this one day at a time, motivated by Matthew 6:25-34.

“He knew to trust God every day and to put His kingdom first.” This was echoed by Bruwer’s colleague and close friend, Col Johan Jooste.

“Lt Col Leroy Bruwer was the real thing. His values were to protect and serve without compromise.” He did this, in the words of Mathale, “with no expectation of proportional reward”.

Bruwer’s integrity, loyalty and devotion to God, his country, community, friends and family were honoured by every speaker who remembered him. This included representatives of the South African Police Union.


The MEC for safety, security and liaison, Cynthia Gabisile Shabalala, gave a warning to his killers: “They killed him purposely.

Whatever they are trying to silence, will rise strongly.” She urged anyone with information on Bruwer’s assassination to contact the police.

https://lowvelder.co.za/609092/lt-col-l ... laid-rest/

[Alf]

So what happened to the men they have arrested

[Richprins]

[Richprins]

The symbolic “Missing Man” air display for the late Lt. Col. Leroy Bruwer’s memorial service from the KNP Rangers held today at Orpen Dam. The day he and Tarina would have got married!!! For those who don’t know, he tragically lost his life after being brutally assasinated by the Rhino poaching syndicates in March. With the COVID-19 regulations, the Rangers were to date unable to bid the man and dear friend of the KNP farewell! It was absolutely stunning!! A special moment for and exceptional man!! Our Friend!!

The helicopter that leaves first symbolises Leroy’s passing while the one that remains behind symbolizes the rest of us left behind to carry on the fight against Rhino poaching!


https://youtu.be/KL9yUxnGLL0

[Lisbeth]

I wonder if they have found the culprits and if Big Joe is one of them?

[Richprins]

Lt Col Leroy Bruwer murder accused seeks bail at the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court
The case was postponed to September 9 for a continuation of Salela's bail application at the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court.
5 hours ago
Enver Wessels

Sinovuyo Salela (28) appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court this morning to seek bail. He is charged with murder following the gunning down of Lt Col Leroy Bruwer on March 17.


Sinovuyo Salela in court.



Salela, who hails from the Eastern Cape, handed himself over to the police on June 19 and has been remanded in custody since then.

The state opposed bail for Salela after his formal bail application on June 25.
Bruwer was a veteran of the Mpumalanga Hawks and died in a hail of bullets as he was driving along the R37/Lydenburg Road.

https://lowvelder.co.za/701736/lt-col-l ... tes-court/

[Lisbeth]

Certainly a paid killer!

It is scary to see how little a life counts in SA and not only, in certain parts of the society

[Alf]

He just handed himself over to the police

[Richprins]

Bail hearing for Bruwer murder accused postponed for judgment
Salela allegedly confessed to being involved in the murder and was arrested on June 19.
3 hours ago
Enver Wessels Less than a minute


Sinovuyo Salela (27) appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court today seeking bail after he was arrested in connection with the gunning down of the Hawks ‘ Lt Col Leroy Bruwer earlier this year.

Bruwer had been a highly decorated officer tasked with a number of sensitive cases who was shot in what has been described as an assassination.
Lt Col Leroy Bruwer.


He was travelling to work on the R37 just outside Mbombela when gunmen opened fire and shot him with what has been revealed to be AK-47s.

Salela, who hails from the Eastern Cape, allegedly confessed to being involved in the murder and was arrested on June 19.



Since his arrest, he has been to court a number of times to make a bid for bail, which was opposed by the State. Salela appeared again today and after the defence and prosecution addressed the court, the matter was postponed to September 22 for judgment.

https://lowvelder.co.za/702890/bail-hea ... -judgment/