Three suspects, aged between 32 and 36, have been charged with the murder of Mkhondo Municipality councillor Muzi Manyathi.

The breakthrough comes nearly three years after Manyathi was gunned down at a fuel station in Mkhondo on the evening of November 4, 2022. The charges were laid on Thursday, July 10, and the suspects are expected to appear in the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court later today.

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According to a police report, the suspects had arrived at the fuel station in a Mercedes-Benz with Gauteng number plates. They allegedly moved from one pump to another without refuelling. One of the suspects then exited the vehicle, approached Manyathi and shot him multiple times. The group fled the scene in the same vehicle.

Mkhondo police and paramedics responded swiftly, but Manyathi was declared dead on the scene.

The attack occurred just days after Manyathi posted a Facebook Live video in which he accused ANC members of being behind political killings in the Gert Sibande District.

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The Mercedes-Benz was later found abandoned near a dam. Investigators determined that the number plates were fake and that the car had been reported stolen from Brakpan in April 2022.

According to provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the investigation led officers to three men who were already in custody on an unrelated matter.

“Details of that case will be made available at a later stage,” he said.

Acting commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi praised the investigative team for their dedication.

“We made a vow that we would not rest until the perpetrators were brought to book so that justice could be served for the victim’s family – and we have delivered. We trust that the suspects will be convicted and receive a harsh sentence,” he said.