Breakthrough in the investigation of University professor gunned down while jogging

A suspect was today on Thursday 23 June 2022 positively linked and charged for the murder of a University of Limpopo Professor who was gunned down whilst jogging earlier this year.

Professor Saber Tayob Mohammed, aged 51 at the time, was jogging along the Muninik road next to Sterpark affluent suburb of Polokwane in the morning of Sunday 13 March 2022. A sedan stopped next to him and the suspect disembarked and shot him several times at point blank.

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A case of murder was registered in Polokwane and the docket was then taken over by the Organised Crimes Unit.

The suspect aged 33, was first arrested soon after killing a customer at the BMW car dealership in Polokwane during a business robbery. He was followed up until the new BMW he had just robbed, ran out of fuel next to the old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

He was found inside the said vehicle and two firearms were recovered.

The initial probe that was conducted at the scene revealed that the same suspect had allegedly killed someone who was reportedly building for him. On 01 April 2022 the suspect allegedly arrived at the deceased’s home at Mabocha village under Tubatse policing area outside Burgersfort. He used a cellphone to call him out of the house.

He then shot him at point blank. It later transpired that he did not pay the victim for the building work.

Four days later, on 04 April 2022, the suspect entered the BMW dealership. Allegedly wielding two guns and ordered everyone to lie down. He in the process demanded the car keys from the Manager.

Before fleeing in a new BMW, he allegedly shot and killed a 57-year-old man. The innocent man had reportedly brought his car for service.

At the time of his arrest, the suspect was found in possession of the other motor vehicle car keys. A follow up probe led to the discovery of the vehicle that was parked at a overnight accommodation in Polokwane. This vehicle matched the one whose occupant killed the Professor.

LIMPOPO PROFESSOR GUNNED DOWN WHILE JOGGING

Further expert information that was obtained during police investigations positively linked the suspect to the murder of the Professor.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has commended the members. For the well coordinated investigations that ensured more live were spared by the arrest of this ruthless killer.

The suspect is expected to appear in Polokwane magistrate court soon for the murder of a Professor. He will also again appear in Tubatse magistrate court tomorrow on Friday, 24 June 2022. This is for Tubatse murder and in Polokwane magistrate court on Friday 01 July 2022 for the murder of a 57 year old man at the car dealership.