NPA to investigate release of suspect linked to Zarah Ramsamy case

THE director of public prosecutions will investigate the release of Constable Minenhle Makhaye, who walked out of court a free man on Tuesday after his case was struck off the court roll.

Makhaye, 27, a police officer at the Cato Manor police station, was charged for being in possession of hijacking victim Shaida Ramsamy’s bank card, and was linked to the looting during the 2021 unrest.

Ramsamy’s daughter Zarah, 11, was killed during the hijacking in Malvern on September 11, 2024.

Makhaye was arrested three weeks later and had been in police custody since his arrest. 

He had been denied bail at the Durban Magistrate’s Court after his arrest, and lost the appeal against his bail ruling last month.

On Tuesday, Makhaye was released from police custody after his case was struck off the court roll at the Durban Magistrate’s Court.

The court heard that the docket for the case against Makhaye was in the control prosecutors office, and that she was on leave.

The State requested for a postponement. However, Magistrate Scelo Zuma said a postponement would not serve as an expedition to the case, which had not progressed since charges were opened.

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, said: “The director of public prosecutions in KZN, Advocate Elaine Harrison, will be looking into the circumstances surrounding this matter being struck off the court roll.”

Makhaye had spent nine months at Westville prison since his arrest.

THE POST