38-year-old Seargent Zamikhaya Mqolo, linked to the Mthatha National Intervention Unit, was today, 27 May 2026, granted R3 000 bail for allegedly killing 37-year-old Bude Phuka and burnt his body afterwards.
The incident took place on 2 May 2026 in the town of Indwe near Queenstown.
It is alleged by the eye witness who is the girlfriend to the deceased, that on the day of the incident, she was with the deceased at a local liquor establishment where the accused officer, who is her ex-partner and was off duty, had an argument with the deceased and started assaulting him (the deceased.)
She tried to intervene but was overpowered by the accused officer. The deceased decided to leave the liquor establishment in his car. However, the accused officer pursued the deceased in his car.
The charred body of deceased was found inside his burnt vehicle on 3 May 2026 on the R56 outside the town of Indwe. R5 cartridges were collected from the scene.
As part of its investigation, IPID had to collect DNA samples from the family of Phuka to verify if the charred remains were indeed his.
The family has been kept abreast of all developments in the matter and have expressed their gratitude to IPID for the speedy finalisation of the DNA analysis.
The case has been remanded to 29/07/2026 to allow for further investigation.
Media enquiries:
Lizzy Suping Phaladi Shuping
060 525 2822 078 459 7772
lsuping@ipid.gov.za  pshuping@ipid.gov.za