Mbombela reaction manager takes own life after allegedly killing wife’s suspected boyfriend

A Pienaar man, December Matthews Maseko (53), was gunned down and killed in the Sonpark Boulevard on Wednesday morning, October 11, for his alleged relationship with the wife of ACS Spartan’s reaction manager, Ouboet Mandla Makhuhleni (41).

Makhuhleni allegedly shot Maseko in front of the post office boxes at about 06:45.

A provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, confirmed the incident and said that Makhuhleni had driven up to Maseko, who was with a friend, in his company car. The two allegedly had a heated argument and Maseko’s friend walked away. Mohlala said the friend then heard gunshots, and when he turned around, he saw Maseko lying on the ground in a pool of blood.

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Makhuhleni then drove out on the R40 to Barberton, parked on the verge of a guest lodge just outside the city and took his own life.

ACS Spartan’s John Meintjes said he had received a call at about 07:00 that one of his vehicles had been involved in an incident in the Boulevard. He tracked his bakkies and couldn’t find any near the area. He was told there was CCTV footage at one of the shops that showed Makhuhleni shooting a man and driving off.

Meintjes said he traced a bakkie to the R40 where they found Makhuhleni dead in the driver’s seat with a gunshot wound to the head.

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He said they were devastated to learn about these tragic incidents. He said Makhuhleni had been with the company as a reaction officer for just over 13 years and was a hard-working man who was dedicated to his work, two children and wife.

Meintjes said Makhuhleni had found out at the beginning of March that his wife had allegedly been having an affair with Maseko. He said the two had had many conversations about the affair, during which he had urged Makhuhleni to focus on his kids and job.

A few months ago, Makhuhleni had told Meintjes matters with his wife were improving, and that they were working things out.
Mohlala said Makhuhleni had allegedly visited Maseko a month ago and told him to stay away from his wife.

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“Last weekend, he went out for groceries, and when he returned home, he found his wife had disappeared, leaving their children with a neighbour,” Meintjes said.

He said on Monday, Makhuhleni had called two of the houses for which his wife works. One of the houses’ residents said she had resigned over the weekend. The other home’s occupants had not heard from her, while a family member said he had managed to contact her, but that she had told him she was OK and that she would speak to them when she was ready.

Meintjes said the next he had heard was that Makhuhleni had shot a man, and then he discovered Makhuhleni, a loyal employee and good friend, dead.

“He was a formidable officer, mentor and leader to many, including myself,” he said.

Maseko’s brother, Amos, said the family was shocked to learn of December’s murder. Amos said December loved to laugh and have fun with his family. He said the family had a gathering last weekend, when December told his family to embrace one another, because no one knows when they would see one another again.

“He was a humble and open person,” said Amos.

Mohlala said an inquest and a case of murder have been opened.