COUNCILLOR AND OTHER TWO VICTIMS FATALLY SHOT IN PIET RETIEF
Piet Retief – The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has strongly condemned the fatal shooting incident at Longhomes Township in Piet Retief whereby a Councillor, identified as Mr Sbonelo Mthembu (36) as well as two other males were gunned down last night, Friday 13 January 2023 around 20h00.
According to the report, the three were shot at a certain yard in Mkhondo. Further information indicates that the Councillor as well as his mechanic were dropped off by a friend who was driving a bakkie then soon appeared three armed men at the yard. The suspects reportedly fired multiple shots at the Councillor who was in the yard, and also fatally shot the friend who was still inside his bakkie. The mechanic did not escape the shooting as he was shot by the same suspects whilst in the yard as well. Thereafter the three suspects fled to unknown direction.
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The Police at Piet Retief as well as the paramedics were informed about the incident whilst the Councillor and his mechanic were privately taken to a nearby hospital. The mechanic was unfortunately certified dead on arrival meanwhile the Councillor regrettably succumbed to his injuries moments later.
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On the other hand, when police and medical practitioners arrived at the scene, they found a male victim laying motionless behind a steering wheel of a white bakkie with gunshot wound then the paramedics unfortunately certified him dead.
A case with three counts of murder was opened and the suspects are still at large.
Police urge anyone with information that may assist in apprehending the perpetrators to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
A dedicated team of experts in the field of investigation was immediately assembled under the leadership of the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela to probe this disheartening incident with an anticipation to swiftly bring perpetrators thereof to book.
Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Mr. Vusi Shongwe has condemned in the strongest possible terms the recent shooting of three people in Mkhondo, which has left three people dead.
He says such acts of cowardice do not only rob the community of its leadership but it also impact negatively on service delivery at the local level.
” We must all work together to bring to book perpetrators who deserve lengthy jail terms. This is the second time in recent months that we lost a councilor at the hands of callous criminals. Condemnation alone is not enough. Such barbaric individuals must be urgently brought to book. The police should not spare any effort to ensure justice,” says the MEC.
He is also appealing for calm in Mkhondo, saying any person who has information that may assist law enforcement agencies should come forward.
“While the anger of the community is understandable, let us not fuel lawlessness or take the law into our own hands. Our police have made breakthroughs in many complex cases. Let us, therefore, allow them space to do their work,” adds Shongwe.
He is also sending condolences to the families of the deceased , friends, colleagues, and the entire Mkhondo community.
One of the councillors in Govan Mbeki Municipality was also allegedly threatend to have her life ended, this was allegedly done by the Speaker of the municipality Cllr Magagamela. A case has since been opened by Cllr Aranda Nel-Buidendag of the VF+ at the Police and it is being investigated
