Police hunt for killers of Free State senior municipal official gunned down while leaving work
Police hunt for killers of Free State senior municipal official gunned down while leaving work! A senior manager in the Infrastructure Department at Mangaung Metro Municipality was tragically shot and killed in what appears to be a targeted attack on Wednesday afternoon in Mangaung, Free State.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched an investigation into the murder, which has shocked the local community and raised concerns about the safety of public officials.
According to SAPS spokesperson Captain Lorraine Earle, the victim was ambushed while leaving his workplace. He was driving out of the parking lot, accompanied by a colleague, when an unknown gunman approached and opened fire. The shooter specifically targeted the driver’s side of the vehicle, where the senior manager was seated.
Earle recounted the harrowing details of the attack, stating, “He was driving in his vehicle with a colleague when an unknown shooter approached the car and allegedly fired shots at the driver’s side.” The assailant fled the scene, leaving behind a grim reminder of the violence that continues to plague parts of South Africa.
Upon their arrival, the police discovered four empty cartridges beside the vehicle, indicating that the shooter had fired multiple rounds at close range. Despite the efforts of first responders, the 48-year-old manager was pronounced dead at the scene. His colleague, though physically unharmed, was severely traumatized by the attack and was treated for shock.
Authorities have classified the incident as a case of murder, but as of Friday morning, no arrests had been made. The investigation is ongoing, with police working to gather any leads that could bring the perpetrator to justice.
The motive behind the murder remains unclear, but the targeted nature of the shooting has led to speculation that the attack could be related to the manager’s role at the municipality. Public sector employees, especially those in positions of authority within local governments, have increasingly become targets of violence in recent years. The assassination of government officials has sparked concerns about corruption, internal disputes, and the overall safety of those working in high-stakes environments.
This incident in Mangaung follows a disturbing trend of violence against municipal officials. In a similar case in September 2023, Khumbulani Khumalo, a manager in the Community Services Division of eThekwini Municipality’s Water and Sanitation Department, was shot dead while sitting in a government vehicle in Inanda, north of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Khumalo’s murder sent shockwaves through the region and raised alarms about the vulnerability of officials tasked with overseeing vital municipal services.
According to the Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), Khumalo sustained two lethal gunshot wounds to the head in what appeared to be an execution-style killing. Like the recent incident in Mangaung, the assailants in Khumalo’s case remain at large, and police investigations are still ongoing. The parallels between these two attacks underscore the growing dangers faced by senior municipal officials.
In the wake of Khumalo’s murder, political parties in the eThekwini Municipality called for a thorough investigation to ensure those responsible were held accountable. The then-mayor of eThekwini, Mxolisi Kaunda, made a public plea for law enforcement agencies to intensify their efforts in capturing the perpetrators, urging for swift action to prevent further violence against public servants.
As investigations into the Mangaung shooting continue, there is growing pressure on law enforcement to uncover the truth behind these attacks and bring those responsible to justice. The killings of public officials not only disrupt the functioning of local governments but also create a climate of fear and insecurity among those who serve the public.
The Mangaung Metro Municipality has yet to release an official statement on the murder of its senior manager, but local leaders are expected to address the community’s concerns in the coming days. The tragic death has sparked outrage and sadness within the municipality, leaving many to wonder who will be held accountable and how to stop the violence that continues to claim the lives of dedicated public servants.
This latest killing serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers faced by officials in South Africa’s public sector, where crime and corruption remain constant threats. For now, the community of Mangaung waits for answers, hoping that justice will prevail for the fallen manager and his grieving loved ones.
-IOL
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