Prosecutors from across Nelson Mandela Bay reaffirmed their oath as officers of the court during Tracy Brown's memorial service. (Photo: Deon Ferreira) 
A man linked to the murder of a Gqeberha prosecutor is expected to return to the city’s Magistrates’ Court next week for formal bail proceedings.
The family of state attorney Tracy Brown filed out of the regional courtroom on Monday morning where 33-year-old Simthembile Xungu made a brief appearance.
Read more: Gqeberha prosecutor gunned down outside her home in ‘planned hit’ emphasises high stakes
The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit arrested him on Thursday.
Heavily armed police officials stood guard in the corridor outside the courtroom, court officials were escorted in and out of the building by members of the Hawks, and no one outside of the Brown’s immediate family was allowed inside the courtroom during proceedings.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DSC_8066-copy.jpg "Tracy Brown's mother, Charmaine Terblanche, was comforted by her grandson Qiyaam Brown, and her daughter's colleague and close friend Urcelle Appolis during the memorial service on Thursday. (Pihoto: Deon Ferreira)")
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba said their investigation led officers to Johannesburg last week, but they soon received information that the suspect was on his way back to Nelson Mandela Bay.
Reports indicated that a suspect was travelling in a Toyota Quantum in the direction of Queenstown on Thursday morning. Units in the area were deployed and Xungu was apprehended on the N6, near James Calata (Jamestown).
Fumba said Xungu is facing charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, unlawful possession of two firearms and possession of ammunition. His matter was postponed until Wednesday, September 3, for him to appoint a legal representative and for bail proceedings to commence.
Three more suspects are still outstanding.
Brown (42) was shot and killed outside her Young Park home on 31 July in what officials have labelled a target hit.
Read more: Police close in on suspects as tributes paid to murdered Gqeberha prosecutor Tracy Brown
Speaking outside court on Monday, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Luxolo Tyali said they welcomed the breakthrough in the case and are confident more arrests will be made soon.
“Of course the NPA is concerned that there seems to be a pattern emerging in the Eastern Cape of attacks on our prosecutors. But through our national office and intelligence organisations, we have taken steps to gather information and act on threats towards our officials,” said Tyali. DM