…By Roland Peterson for TDPel Media.
A special police team has been established by the Mpumalanga police commissioner to investigate a shooting incident that occurred in Standerton on Wednesday.
The target of the shooting was Delani Thabethe, the mayor of Lekwa municipality, who fortunately escaped unharmed.
No arrests have been made at this stage, and the investigation is ongoing.
Attempted Shooting at Mayor’s Residence:
Lekwa municipality mayor, Delani Thabethe, narrowly survived an attempt on his life when two gunmen shot at him outside his home.
According to the Lekwa Local Municipality, Thabethe was on his way to a nearby shop when he was confronted by the suspects, who opened fire.
Thabethe managed to flee back to his house, leaving his car at the gate.
The suspects fired three shots and then fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction.
Thabethe immediately called for assistance from the local police and Kasselman Security.
Formation of a Special Police Team:
To thoroughly investigate the incident, a team of investigators has been assembled under the leadership of Mpumalanga’s provincial commissioner of police, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela.
The police spokesperson, Col Donald Mdhluli, made this announcement and emphasized the importance of gathering any information related to the case.
He urged individuals with relevant details to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or report through the MYSAPS APP.
All information will be treated as confidential, and callers may remain anonymous.
Concerns of Crime in Mpumalanga:
Mpumalanga has recently been described by Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan as a “crime scene” in relation to allegations of looting at Eskom.
This incident adds to the concerns surrounding criminal activities in the province.
Conclusion:
The shooting incident targeting Lekwa municipality mayor Delani Thabethe has prompted the formation of a special police team to investigate the matter.
Thabethe escaped unharmed, and the municipality has strongly condemned the violent act.
The public has been encouraged to provide any relevant information to aid the investigation, and concerns about crime in Mpumalanga persist.
The authorities are committed to ensuring the safety and security of the region’s residents.