A well-known former hospitality manager of the Kruger National Park, Dr Ezrom Mathumbu, was gunned down last night, Wednesday, March 5.

The shooting happened on the R536 in Cork Village near Mkhuhlu at about 19:00.

A provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, confirmed the incident and said the SAPS is still gathering the facts.

“We can confirm the assassination, but we do not have all the details yet. As soon as we have gathered all the relevant information, we would be able to give an informed comment,” Mdhluli said.

Some sources say Mathumbu was coming from a meeting in the Kruger when he was killed. Lowveld Media has confirmed that his family has already been informed of his death.

Mdhluli also confirmed there has been no arrest made thus far.

Mathumbu was a prominent figure in South Africa and abroad. He was also a pastor, and his sermons were often broadcasted on the SABC’s Munghana Lonene FM, other radio stations and TV.

From 1989 until the beginning of South Africa’s democracy, Mathumbu had served as a minister in the defunct Gazankulu Government under the leadership of chief minister,

Prof Hudson William Edison Ntsanwisi. There he headed women and youth affairs.

This publication will keep its readers updated as more information becomes available.