Mpumalanga court finds security guard guilty of fatal attack on municipal workers
A man found guilty of killing a municipal worker and seriously injuring three others is due to again appear in court on Monday.
Former security guard Nqubeko Bright Mchunu was yesterday found guilty of killing a municipal employee and injuring three others at the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, in 2022.
According to an article published by Middelburg Observer, the judgment was handed down in the Middelburg High Court, which was filled with anxious municipal workers and the victims’ family members.
In August 2022, Mchunu, who at the time was employed by PPP Protection and Security, fired five shots, killing Tshepo Maseko and seriously injuring Sarel Vilakazi, Harris Sithole and Sibusiso Thabang.
At the time, PPP Protection and Security was appointed by the municipality to protect municipal infrastructure and interim Municipal Manager Thokozile Zulu against striking employees who wanted their pay grades raised.
@middelburgobserver Steve Tshwete Local Municipality workers and victims’ families celebrate outside Middelburg Magistrate’s Court after a security guard is found guilty of a deadly 2022 attack.
During his testimony, Mchunu told the court that he was defending his life from the angry mob that was holding stones and other objects.
Acting judge GB Herman said this was not true, as video footage shown in court contradicted his statement. He also said Mchunu repeatedly lied in court and changed his statement to fit his self-defence narrative.
It was revealed in court that on the day of the shooting, Maseko was travelling with Sonko William Mdluli in a Ford Ranger on Wanderers Avenue near the civic centre when it was shot at.
One shot hit the bakkie’s window and damaged it. Mdluli then drove towards the municipal gate, abruptly stopped at the gate, forced it open and went to confront security guards for shooting at his vehicle.
A conflict then erupted, leading to the fatal shooting of Maseko.
The judge deliberated on his judgment for nearly three hours.
Finally, he said Mchunu was reckless and knew the consequences of his actions as he was a trained security officer who should’ve been well aware of crowd control procedures.
He knew the effects of using a semi-automatic rifle and failed to fire a warning shot.
Soon after judgment, Mchunu’s defence lawyer told the court that his client wanted to request a pre-sentencing report.
The Middelburg Observer spoke to Sarel Vilakazi, one of the victims, who was left permanently disabled as a result of the shooting.
He said he was relieved that justice has prevailed, and he plans to now go after the municipality to hold them accountable.
The matter was postponed to Monday.
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Read original story on www.citizen.co.za
