Mother still grieving slain Katlehong anti-crime leader
A year after his assassination, Mandla Nkambule’s family and colleagues gather to celebrate his life and legacy.
Ellen Nkambule-Ngwenya, the mother of the late crime-fighter and co-founder of Thata-Zonke Anti-Crime Unit and Yizo Yizo Crime Fighting Unit, Mandla Nkambule, is still struggling to come to terms with her son’s death.
Ngwenya shared this sentiment during a commemoration candlelight ceremony on September 4, held by her family along with members of Thata-Zonke Anti-Crime Unit, Yizo Yizo Crime Fighting Unit, and other security agencies, in honour of Mandla’s legacy at the exact spot where he was brutally murdered last year.
The late Mandla was killed in an assassination style in Moleleki Section, Katlehong, on September 4 last year.
Ngwenya mentioned that even a year later, she is still struggling to overcome the heartache.
“I’m deeply hurt by what has transpired. My son’s death has left me with unanswered questions. We still don’t know why he was killed and who killed him,” said Ngwenya.
She added that she is praying for divine intervention.
“I don’t wish the perpetrators to die, but I just hope they will be found and arrested for the heinous crime they committed.”
A Thata-Zonke Anti-Crime member, who asked to be named Commander Bush, said they had gathered to commemorate their supreme commander Mandla.
“A commemoration was befitting for supreme commander Mandla because he was a stalwart who dedicated his life to combating crime. Tonight we are here to celebrate his life and legacy. We chose this day, September 4, because last year Mandla’s life was tragically cut short by thugs,” Bush shared.
He added that he vividly remembers receiving the call that Mandla had been shot.
“After I received the call, I drove frantically to this spot, and when I arrived, I found our supreme commander killed. I was shocked and devastated. Our lives were never the same after Mandla’s death. He has left a huge void, but today we are here to celebrate him. I can feel his spirit. Tonight we are celebrating a hero of the people.”
The late Mandla’s nephew, Jabu Nkambule, said the commemoration meant a lot to their family.
“I have mixed emotions tonight. I feel happy that my uncle is being honoured, but I’m also pained by the fact that he was assassinated. What is happening tonight shows that my uncle was a people’s person. This demonstrates that he lived an impactful life and played an important role in so many people’s lives,” Jabu expressed.
He added that his uncle had inspired his own crime-fighting efforts.
“I’m also a crime-fighter, working in my area of residence. So far, we have not heard anything about the culprits who murdered my uncle, but we believe in the police, and we know that sometimes they track suspects secretly,” Jabu stated.
Julius Mdluli, Chairperson of the Chairpersons of the City of Ekurhuleni, said it was an emotional night for him.
“On this spot where Commander Mandla was killed, we will now be creating a remembrance monument for one of our heroes,” Mdluli shared.
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