Widow of alleged Mpumalanga rhino poaching kingpin shot dead in apparent hit

The widow of the late Mpumalanga chief, suspected of leading a massive rhino poaching syndicate, has been shot and killed.

Mpumalanga chief murdered

Charlene Felicity Mathews was gunned down in the early hours of Tuesday, at the couple’s home in Calcutta.

The incident comes just days after the murder of her husband, Chief Clyde Mnisi, of the Mnisi clan in Bushbuckridge.

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Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the 30-year-old woman was found shot multiple times in her head after armed suspects entered the house around 1.10am.

Two other men, identified as family members, also sustained gunshot wounds after they were shot by the assailant(s).

They were taken to hospital for medical treatment while Mathews was certified dead by paramedics who attended to the crime scene.

“According to the information, the police at Calcutta were called to a shooting incident at the residential place of the late chief. Upon arrival, they found the lifeless body of the woman with multiple gunshot wounds to the head,” Mohlala said in a statement.

Preliminary police probe

Mohlala said preliminary police investigations had since revealed that the armed suspect(s) got into the house and shot at the three victims and then fled the scene. 

The motive for the shooting is unknown at this stage, and police are investigating a case of murder with two counts of attempted murder.

“A team of investigators has been assembled and has already begun with the probe with the hope to arrest the perpetrator(s). Part of the investigation will be to establish how the suspect(s) gained entry into the house. 

“Police urge anyone with information that may assist in apprehending the suspect(s) to call the Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSapp. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.”

Alleged rhino poaching syndicate

Chief Mnisi, 37, was shot dead on the Airport Road next to Kruger-Mpumalanga International Airport near White River late last month.

Mnisi and his driver were allegedly ambushed while waiting for help after the vehicle they were travelling had a punctured tyre. The driver survived the shooting.

The traditional leader’s killers are still at large and have not yet been found.

Chief Mnisi, who was alleged to be a rhino poaching kingpin, was charged with crimes related to rhino poaching after he was arrested in 2018, along with other suspects, including former police officers.

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