MBOMBELA – The killing of a schoolboy in Pienaar which resulted in widespread outrage in March, has led to various people being charged on different counts. The shooter in the incident which sparked the violence, remains at large.
Sgt Gerald Sedibe, spokesman for the provincial police, has confirmed that the foreign national suspected of shooting Wellington Hendry Dube (20) on Februaury 25 is still at large.
Dube was a learner at Mayibuye High School in Pienaar. On the day of his funeral, March 1, local residents and pupils took to the streets, looting foreigners’ stores.
Thirteen people were initially arrested on charges of inciting or perpetrating public violence and appeared in KaBokweni Magistrate’s Court. Last week, the accused appeared in the Regional Court in Mbombela. Among them was Mr Mandla Msibi, an ANC ward councillor.
While allegedly looting the stores, foreign nationals were apparently seen shooting into the rampaging crowd. A few days later, five of them were arrested in Pienaar for illegal possession of firearms. They have been remanded in custody after police allegedly found them in possession of nine illegal firearms and 25 boxes of ammunition.
They are due to appear in the KaNyamazane Magistrate’s Court again on July 24.
