Moses Maluleke, mayor of Collins Chabane Municipality, was visiting a family who had lost three members in a car accident just hours before he was shot and killed at his home.
Maluleke, 56, was brutally shot and killed on Thursday night in Saselamani village when three men broke into his house.
That evening at 19:00, unidentified armed men barged into Maluleke’s house and demanded cash. Maluleke was with his 18-year-old son at the time.
According to Colonel Athlenda Mathe, a national police spokesperson, the mayor and his son did not follow the armed suspects’ instructions.
The armed men then opened fire on the Maluleke and his son, according to her.
Colonel Athlenda Mathe said that “The mayor succumbed to his injuries on the scene and his son survived.”
Maluleke’s son is currently in hospital receiving treatment for the gunshot wound.
But earlier that day, Maluleke travelled to Bulwini village to personally convey her condolences to the Tshabalala family. Three members of the family died in an automobile accident.
Six members of the Tshabalala family were travelling together when they were involved in a terrible accident that resulted in the deaths of three people. The condition of the other three is critical.
“We are here as government because we know that these are difficult times for the families. You cannot handle the situation on your own and we are here to offer our condolences and support as the municipality,” Maluleke told the family on Thursday afternoon.
He told the Tshabalala family that the municipality will cooperate with them until the day of the funeral just before he was killed.
Police leaders in Limpopo have been directed by national Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola to find Maluleke’s killers.
Masemola’s instructions include a 72-hour action plan to track down the murderers.
According to Mathe, authorities are looking into a murder and attempted murder case.
“Police have since launched a manhunt for the group of suspects. Members of the public who know or may have witnessed what transpired are encouraged to report to the Saselamani Police station or call the Crime Stop Hotline number on 0860010111 to assist police investigations,” said Mathe.