NELSPRUIT - The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has expressed her gratitude to the assembled team after they arrested one more suspect (40) 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.

The suspect, who hails from uMbumbulu in KwaZulu Natal, was taken in for questioning yesterday, Tuesday and ultimately charged with murder.

He will be appearing before the Piet Retief Magistrate's Court tomorrow, Thursday 19 January, 2023.

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 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.

Source: South African Police Service