Slain ANC councillor Sbonelo (Mthembu) Ntshangase in Mkhondo, Mpumalanga. Photo: Mkhondo Local Municipality.
Fifth suspect arrested in ANC councillor murder case
A fifth suspect was arrested in connection with the murder of an ANC councillor in Piet Retief (Mkhondo) in Mpumalanga
Slain ANC councillor Sbonelo (Mthembu) Ntshangase in Mkhondo, Mpumalanga. Photo: Mkhondo Local Municipality.
Following the court appearance of the other suspects, a fifth suspect was arrested in connection with the murder of an ANC councillor in Mkhondo.
A TOTAL OF FIVE SUSPECTS ARE BEHIND BARS
The Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela who has vowed that nothing will stop her to arrest any person committing crime in Mpumalanga, confirmed the arrest.
“He was arrested yesterday Monday 23 January 2023 at Mkhondo in relation to the murder of a ward Councillor and his friends.”
Lieutenant General Manamela
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WHEN IS THE FIFTH MAN APPEARING IN COURT
“The fifth suspect will appear before the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, Wednesday 25 January 2023 on charges of three counts of Murder, attempted murder and theft of firearm,” Lieutenant General Manamela confirmed.
While the fifth suspect appears in court tomorrow, linked suspects, Blessing Nhlakanipho Ntombela (30) and Blessing Bongani Dlamini (38) appeared briefly before the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on the charges of murder and attempted murder yesterday.
The case has been postponed to 30 January 2023 for a formal bail application and were both remanded in custody.
WHO WAS THE SLAIN ANC COUNCILLOR FROM MKHONDO
According to the report, the victims were allegedly shot by armed suspects in Mkhondo, also known as Piet Retief on Friday, 13 January.
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 in an unknown direction.
Prior to his death, councillor Ntshangase went on a Facebook Live to insinuate that he was on a hit list and further exposed the names of the men he understood to be behind political killings in Mkhondo.
