AN alleged trigger-happy young man is on the run from the police.
What happened?
This after he allegedly shot and killed his neighbour Thembinkosi Prayer Mathebula (24) near Mhala cop shop in Thulamahashe kasi near Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga.
The incident happened in broad daylight on Sunday, 5 November, at around 3pm.
The drama unfolded shortly after Thembinkosi had stopped his VW Polo, allegedly driven by his friend, who is also his neighbour, when they were attacked by the young man.
Bystanders speak
Shocked bystanders claimed they saw the young man walking towards the parked VW Polo with a gun.
"The young man fired shots at the driver's window and the bullets missed Thembinkosi's friend. But unfortunately, Thembinkosi was shot in the head and was bleeding while sitting in the passenger seat. We feared for our lives and quickly alerted the police who arrived at the scene, but the killer was nowhere to be found," said the witness.
"The young man ran away with the gun. That's why we are grateful to the driver of the VW Polo, who drove Thembinkosi to the nearby Thulamahashe Health Centre clinic to at least try to save his life. But by then it was already too late," said one of the bystanders.
Thembinkosi's worried sister, Nkateko Mathebula (41), said they had gone to church when they received a call that their brother had been shot allegedly by a neighbour, and they had to rush to the clinic.
"When we arrived at the clinic, we found our brother dead and covered in blood. He was a loving, peaceful person and was completing his final year as a teacher at Tembe Service Providers University in Giyani, Limpopo," she said.
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Mum victim speaks
Thembinkosi's mum Norah Shabangu (65) said her son was a genius whose life was prematurely snatched on the streets.
"We wish his killer will be brought to justice and face the mighty hand of the law without fear or mercy," she said.
Police take action
Police spokesman Colonel Donald Mdhluli confirmed that a murder case has been opened and police investigations are underway.
"Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect can contact Mhala police on 013 7730 331 or CrimeStop number on 08600 10111 or send information through WhatsApp," he said.
The motive behind the killing is unknown at the moment.
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