Political hit or botched robbery? This is the question many have, following the shooting of ActionSA Amajuba District Councillor, Mzwakhe Mbatha on the evening of July 26.

At around 19:00, the councillor was sitting in his car, waiting for his wife, when a man rapped on the window. When Cllr Mbatha wound the window down to ask what he wanted, the man withdrew a firearm and fired into the vehicle.

Cllr Mbatha was struck in the cheekbone and the bullet exited the back of his neck. The shooter then fled with the councillor’s cell phone and wallet. But some believe the robbery is a smokescreen.

At this stage, no arrests have been made and investigations into the shooting incident are still ongoing. Anyone with information about the suspect or motive is strongly urged to contact the detectives at Osizweni Police Station on 034 366 6002.