The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has expressed her gratitude to the assembled team after they arrested two male suspects aged 43 and 52 in connection with the fatal shooting incident at Longhomes Township in Piet Retief whereby a Councillor, identified as Mr Sbonelo (Mthembu) Ntshangase (36), and other two that were since identified as Mr Sandile Khumalo (51) and Mr Sizwe Mbingo (40).
The three were gunned down in the evening of Friday, 13 January 2023 around 20:00.
According to the report, the victims were allegedly shot by armed suspects in Mkhondo, also known as Piet Retief. It is further alleged that the suspects reportedly fired multiple shots at Mr Ntshangase who was in the yard, and also shot Mr Mbingo inside a bakkie who sadly died at the scene whilst Mr Khumalo was shot in the yard as well.
Thereafter the suspects fled to unknown direction.
The Police at Piet Retief as well as the paramedics were informed about the incident whilst Mr Ntshangase and Mr Khumalo were privately taken to a nearby hospital. Mr Khumalo was unfortunately certified dead on arrival meanwhile Mr Ntshangase regrettably succumbed to his injuries moments later.
A case with three counts of murder was opened and 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.
The team worked tirelessly until they made a breakthrough after receiving information on the whereabouts of the two male suspects who were arrested on Monday, 16 January 2023 and during the arrest, an automatic rifle with ammunition were confiscated.
They are both charged with possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Police also confiscated other firearms and ammunition alleged to be owned by a certain security company however that matter is still under investigation to determine the lawful owners thereof.
Police will go as far as testing all seized firearms to determine whether they were not used previously in the commission of crime.
The police investigation is still underway and the two could also be possibly faced with other charges, including the said fatal shooting if the three victims but for now the duo is expected to appear at the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 17 January 2023 on the said charges of being found in possession of unlicensed firearm with ammunition.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has further urged members of the public, including families as well as colleagues of the slain victims to remain calm and allow police a space to investigate to bring all perpetrators thereof to book whilst allowing due processes of the law to take its course.
“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 perpetrators thereof to book. We still need support from members 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.
