BREAKING NEWS | THREE SUSPECTS REMANDED IN CUSTODY OVER MURDER OF EFF MEMBER AARON MAKOLA AS TWO OTHERS ARE RELEASED

Mamelodi News | Delmas, Mpumalanga / Zithobeni, Tshwane Region 7

Three suspects arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member Aaron Makola (51) have been remanded in custody after appearing before the Delmas Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, 5 August 2026.

The court appearance follows a major breakthrough by the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team (GP PKTT) in its investigation into Makola's disappearance and murder.

The three accused, Dimakatso Chiloane, Solly Pitoti Sibeko, and the deceased's sister, aged between 40 and 44, face charges of murder, kidnapping and robbery.

During the proceedings, the State successfully applied for a postponement to allow investigators to continue gathering evidence. The court ordered that all three accused remain in custody, and no bail was granted at this stage.

Meanwhile, two other suspects who were arrested on Monday, a local traditional healer and his wife, were reportedly cleared and released on Tuesday evening after investigators found insufficient grounds to proceed with charges against them at this stage.

Makola, a well-known resident of Zithobeni in Tshwane Region 7, was reported missing on 10 July 2026. His abandoned vehicle was discovered the following day, sparking an intensive investigation.

On 30 July 2026, members of the GP PKTT discovered his body in dense bush near Delmas. Preliminary investigations indicate that he had been shot before his body was dumped.

The arrests formed part of a broader operation by the Political Killings Task Team, which has also made progress in other high-profile investigations, including the murder of ANC Ward 10 Councillor Thabang Masemola. Police have, however, stressed that the Makola and Masemola investigations are being treated as separate and independent cases.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the motive behind Makola's killing, saying that doing so could compromise the ongoing investigation.

The three accused are expected to return to the Delmas Magistrate's Court on 13 August 2026, where the matter will continue.

All accused persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.