Businessman gunned down while disembarking from bus
A 45-year-old man has been apprehended by Ulundi police in connection with the fatal shooting of a well-known local businessman, following an intensive manhunt that saw officers working through the night to bring the suspect to justice.
The arrest came after detectives traced the suspect to the Mboshongweni area outside Ulundi in KwaZulu-Natal, where he had been lying low. A search of the premises led to the recovery of a firearm believed to have been used in the killing, along with R9 200 in cash.
The accused has been charged and was expected to make his first appearance in the Ulundi Magistrate's Court today.
The case dates back to 3 January 2016, when law enforcement received reports of a shooting at Damaseku in the Nhlungwane area at approximately 15:00. Officers who responded to the scene discovered the victim, Mziwempi 'Zondamaqabane' Almon Sibiya, aged 58, lying beside a bus with gunshot wounds to his head and upper right ear. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the circumstances surrounding the incident, Sibiya had just stepped off the bus alongside other passengers when an unidentified gunman opened fire, striking him fatally. Authorities have yet to establish what motivated the attack, and a murder docket was registered at the Ulundi police station.
Senior officer commends dedicated detective work
KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the investigation and the commitment shown by the officers involved.
"We really appreciate the work and dedication displayed by Ulundi members and we're pleased that the murder suspect will face the law. Other criminals will learn that there is no place to hid in KwaZulu-Natal."
Major General Langa further indicated that the seized weapon would undergo forensic examination to determine whether it had been linked to any other criminal activity across the country.
"The recovered firearms will be taken to ballistics test to ascertain if it was used in the commission of the crime in the country."
