A major breakthrough has been made in Cape Town as Ayazola Fulu, known by the alias “China”, has been arrested by the Hawks’ Serious and Violent Crime team. Fulu, 30, is accused of murdering Constable Akho Ndzingo, a police officer and Premier League soccer referee, in Khayelitsha in June 2024.
Authorities suspect Fulu of being involved in over ten murders and five attempted murders across Khayelitsha and Lingeletu West between 2021 and 2024.
His arrest was made in Mfuleni after a months-long investigation. Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani confirmed that Fulu appeared briefly in the Khayelitsha Magistrates’ Court on murder charges. He was already due to appear for unrelated charges when he was arrested.
The fatal incident occurred on June 12, 2024, around 9:30 p.m., during a routine crime prevention patrol. As Constable Ndzingo and his colleagues approached a suspicious individual in Site B, the suspect opened fire. Ndzingo was shot in the chest, just above his bulletproof vest, and later died at Khayelitsha Day Hospital. The suspect was also injured but managed to escape at the time.
Ndzingo was only six months into his career as an officer and was also a well-respected Premier Soccer League referee.
Fulu’s case has been postponed to April 25 for further bail proceedings.
