Byline: Thendo Funyufunyu
Tuesday, 17 January 2023
The Provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela was pleased and applauded assembled team after a great work of arresting two male suspects aged 43 and 52 in connection with fatal shooting incident at Longhomes Township in Piet Retief whereby a councilor, identified as Mr Sbonelo (Mthembu) Ntshangase (36), and other two who were since identified as Mr Sandile Khumalo (51) and Mr Sizwe Mbingo (40)were shot around 20H00 in the evening of Friday, 13 January 2023.
Victim are said to have been shot by assassins’.
It is claimed that the suspects shot Mr Khumalo in the yard, Mr Mbingo inside a bakkie, and Mr Ntshangase while he was in the yard, sadly Mr Mbingo tragically passed away at the scene while others survived and suspect then fled un an unidentified route.
Mr Ntshangase and Mr Khumalo were privately transformed to a nearby hospital while shooting was reported at Piet Retief Police. However Mr Khumalo was pronounced dead upon arrival, and Mr Ntshangase tragically passed away from his injuries a shortwhile later.
A case involving three counts of murder was opened, and immediately a committed team of investigator was assembled under the leadership of Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga to look into this upsetting tragedy.
The assembled team made breakthrough after receiving information on the wherebouts of the male suspects who were detained yesterday, 16 January 2023 and during the arrest, an automatic rifle and ammunition were seized. They both charge with possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Police also confiscated other firearms and ammunition alleged to be owned by a certain company however the matter is still under investigation.
The duo will appear at the Piet Retief Magistrate’s court today, Tuesday 17 January 2023
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga pleaded with the family of the victims and all member of the public to continue being patient to allow police proceeding with their investigations.
“We have always stayed true and committed to our call of duty, that of preventing crime, and when crime has been committed, we are obligated in terms of the constitution of the Republic of South Africa, to investigate and bring perpetrator thereof to book. We still need support from member of the public regarding further details which may assist in the investigation to come forth. We promise to treat such information with much delicacy” assured the General
