A former City of Mbombela councillor and ANC member, Mandla Mamba, was gunned down in Barberton, Mpumalanga in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Even though the details of the shooting are still sketchy, a provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, has confirmed the fatal shooting.

Mohlala, however, says he is not allowed to divulge more information as the police are still investigating the crime.

Mamba’s killing comes shortly after the Mpumalanga government concluded a two-day provincial crime summit, in which government and its stakeholders were looking for solutions to put an end to crime, especially contact and violent crimes.

Mamba, who comes from Barberton, was a well-known public figure and at times found himself on the wrong side of the law.

When he was still the councillor of Ward 45 in Barberton in 2016, Mamba was arrested and charged with malicious damage to property.

This is after he and community members allegedly staged a protest demanding that the local mine should prioritise and hire residents before looking elsewhere.

In the past, Mamba had been instrumental in negotiating for locals to be employed at the Fairview, Sheba Siding, and New Consort mines.