MEC’s brother gunned down in drive-by shooting in KZN

Yet another tragic shooting has rocked Ladysmith to the core, Ladysmith Gazette reports.

The brother of Cogta MEC Mr Sipho Hlomuka was gunned down in Peacetown recently.

The MEC’s brother, Nathi Hlomuka (42), was sitting with a friend in a parked car outside Ladysmith when a hail of bullets tore through the vehicle, leaving them no chance of survival. Both men died at the scene.

At this stage, police say the assailants are unknown and that a manhunt for the killers has been launched.

Nathi Hlomuka was an employee at the Department of Public Works in Ladysmith.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Basheer Khan has confirmed that the incident happened in Peacetown on Friday evening, November 1, and added that detectives are investigating two counts of murder.

“Both the deceased were shot in a drive-by shooting. It is alleged that a bystander also sustained gunshot wounds. The deceased have been identified as Vukani Donald Mchunu (41) and Nkosinathi Goodman Hlomuka (42),” said W/O Khan.

“The Department of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (Cogta) in KwaZulu-Natal extends heartfelt condolences to the family of MEC Sipho Hlomuka following the traumatic loss of his brother, whose life was taken in what appears to have been an orchestrated attack by unknown assailants. Our thoughts and prayers are with MEC Hlomuka and his family as they grieve this tremendous loss,” said Thando Tubane, Head of Department at KZN Cogta.