PREMIER MTSHWENI-TSIPANE LAUDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATING TEAM TO PROBE MURDERS IN MKHONDO LOCAL MUNICIPALITY
16 January 2023
Mpumalanga Premier, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane has commended Police Minister, Mr Bheki Cele for the establishment of a special team of investigators in Mkhondo Local Municipality. Minister Cele announced the establishment of the team during a visit on Monday, to the bereaved families.
The Minister’s visit follows the fatal shooting of three people on Friday, among them, Councillor Sibonelo Ntshangase at Thandukukhanya. Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane expressed optimism that the intervention will lead to the arrest of the assailants. She says the killings has caused panic in the area, and will set a bad precedence if it remains unresolved. “People live in fear now, because they do not know who the next target is. We stand together with the community on this matter, and we share their pain. The establishment of the team gives us hope that arrests will be made soon,” the Premier stated.
The three victims, are the latest to loose their lives in a fatal attack. In November last year, Councillor Muzi Manyathi was also shot and killed within the same Municipality. The scope of the investigation will include Manyathi’s attack.
Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane appealed to the community to afford the team, an opportunity to do due diligence in its task of investigation. “These killings portray Mkhondo Local Municipality as a death-knell. We are convinced that the outcome of the investigation will restore the confidence of the community about the police’s commitment to protect them. Furthermore it will contain such sinister attacks against spreading to other areas,” she emphasized.
Deputy Minister of the Police, Mr Cassel Mathale, National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola, Mpumalanga Police Commissioner, Lieutant General Semakaleng Manamela, were among the dignitaries who visited the bereaved families.
ENDS...
Issued by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government
Provincial Government’s Spokesperson: George Mthethwa
Tel: (013) 766 2242
Mobile: 083 302 2774
E-mail: gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za
