Cape Town – Four traffic police officers have been arrested and charged with murder and defeating the ends of justice following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Osinakachukwu Macus Onu, a Nigerian national, on the N12 highway in the North West province.
The incident occurred at about 3 a.m. on 17 December 2025, when Onu was allegedly pursued by the officers during a traffic operation near Klerksdorp.
According to North West provincial police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh, the chase ended in the fatal shooting of Onu, whose vehicle was later found stalled “in the middle of the road on the opposite side of the N12.
“It is alleged that the deceased, who was reportedly legally in South Africa, was chased by four traffic officers while they were conducting operations,” Colonel Myburgh said, describing the early stages of the investigation.
When police were alerted to the scene, the traffic officials involved had already left. Detectives from Klerksdorp tracked the suspects to a location in the area, where they seized the officers’ official firearms, which will undergo forensic ballistic analysis, according to Myburgh.
#sapsNW The North West Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo welcomes the arrest of four suspects between the ages of 25 and 36, by Klerksdorp police for alleged murder and defeating the ends of justice.
According to information, a 37-year-old… pic.twitter.com/BN4fJVdcE6
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 17, 2025
The four officers, aged between 25 and 36, are expected to appear before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 18 December 2025 on charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice.
In response to the arrests, Major General Ryno Naidoo, acting provincial commissioner of the North West, welcomed the developments and thanked detectives for what he described as a “swift and effective response.”
He also acknowledged the role of the public in helping to bring about the arrests.
“We urge members of the community to continue to work with the police in resolving crime,” Naidoo said, underscoring the importance of community cooperation in investigations.
Police investigations into the full circumstances surrounding the shooting are ongoing, and authorities have reiterated that anyone with information can come forward to assist.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
