Byline: Andani Matumba
06 November 2022
PR Councilor of Mkondo Municipality, Muzi Manyathi (41) was sadly assassinated at a fuel station on Friday evening, 04 November 2022 around 18h30.
The sad ordeal is the second incident in Gert Sibande District Municipality in two months following the attempted assassination of ward 4 councilor from Goven Mbeki Municipality, Cllr Siphiwe Sindelo (39) who survived a hail of over 15 bullets in Embalenhle.
ANC member, Norman Ngwenya was also killed under similar circumstances in the KaNyamazane on 29 October 2022.
According to Provincial Spokesperson of the SAPS Colonel Donald Mdhluli, Cllr Manyathi was allegedly assassinated by one of the two suspects who were reportedly traveling on a Mercedes Benz with registration number XTN 559 GP who shot him at close range when he was from buying something at the Kiosk and the said suspects fled the scene.
It is further alleged that before the said shooting, the suspects were seen moving from one fuel pump to another without refiling their gas.
“Sadly, Manyathi was certified dead at the scene.
A murder case has been open and is currently being investigate.
Police at Piet Retief acted swifty and the hitmen’s Mercedes-Benz was later found abandoned next to a dam and preliminary investigation indicates that the number plates on the vehicle seems not to be authentic and it was discovered that the said car was reported stolen in April this year (2022) at Brakpan in the Gauteng Province,” added Col Mdhuli .
Speaking on behalf of the Gert Sibande District Municipality Council, the Speaker Cllr Busisiwe Sekhonde, has expressed her condolences to the family of Cllr Manyathi who also served briefly as an ordinary member of GSDM Council in 2021.
The Speaker sends condolences also to the ANC and other political parties that worked with Cllr Manyathi, Mkhondo Municipality, friends, and the community at large, saying, “Manyathi was vibrant and dedicated to serving the people of Gert Sibande District. He loved everyone and did not deserve such cruelty”.
The above sentiments were also shared by his colleagues who took on to social media platforms to express their loss of a true revolutionary who served the ANC Youth Legue relentlessly.
We urge law enforcement agencies to ensure that justice prevails, that the arrest of the criminals be a top priority, added Cllr Sekhonde
According to a statement by the Provincial Pommissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has since assembled a team of experts in the field of investigation to probe the case.
No one has been arrested so far however police are working around the clock. The police urge anyone with information that may assist in apprehending the perpetrators to immediately 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.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has strongly condemned the fatal shooting of the PR Councilor and has vowed that police will not rest until the perpetrators are brought to book so that justice is served for the victim’s family. “We trust that the team will swiftly make a breakthrough” said the General.
