Traditional leaders from the Mpumalanga House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders are calling for stronger police protection after Chief Jongilanga Khoza was attacked at his Kildare B Trust home in Bushbuckridge.

Kgoshi Mathupa Mokoena said Khoza was attacked by unknown suspects on Tuesday night, October 27.

“According to the information I received, two suspects gained entry into the house through a window and pointed a gun at Khoza, forcing him to lie down so they could tie him up,” Mokoena said. “He then decided to fight back against the suspect holding the gun, causing the magazine to fall out. Meanwhile, the other suspect was stabbing him in the back while he was fighting with the first suspect.”

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He added that the suspects fled when they realised Khoza was resisting and refusing to back down, even though he was weakening during the struggle. They then fled the scene.

Due to severe bleeding, Khoza lost consciousness and was taken to the nearest hospital for treatment. He was later transferred to another hospital for his safety,” Mokoena said.

Traditional leaders fear repeat attacks

Mokoena, who was also attacked by unknown suspects on October 9, is calling on the security cluster to intervene and protect traditional leaders who fear they could become targets of further attacks.

During the October 9 incident, shots were reportedly fired at Mokoena’s home, but he escaped unharmed.

“I was attacked, and the police came, took a statement, and left,” he said. “There is no sign that the suspects will be arrested soon. We are appealing to the police to protect us. If they want us to pay for protection, we have no choice because our lives are at stake.”

Mokoena added that the fact that the suspects remain unidentified and at large has left traditional leaders fearing they could be attacked again at any time.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said police could not comment on the incident at this stage due to the delicate nature of the investigation.

The incident involving Mokoena also remains under investigation.