Community members from Ngodini in Loskop made a grim discovery early on Sunday morning. A well-known resident Mduduzi Erick ‘Maklele’ Khubeka, was lying lifeless on the side of the road at about 5.30am, he sustained one gunshot wound to his body.

Mr Khubeka (48) was the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Qhweni Branch Chairperson in Ngodini. According to family members, he received a call at about 8.30pm on Saturday. The male caller requested that Mr Khubeka meet him at his home.

Family members claim that it seemed as if the caller was well-known to Mr Khubeka because he responded positively and immediately left home to meet the caller. Unfortunately that was the last time that they would see him. His body was spotted by passing community members on Sunday morning and Amangwe police were alerted. Police spokesperson Captain Charmaine Struwig confirmed that a case of murder is being investigated. She added that the deceased was shot once and the motive for the murder is unknown at this stage.

IFP Constituency Chairperson Mthembeni Majola, when arriving at the scene on Sunday, said he spotted unused live rounds close to Mr Khubeka’s body. He said the murder needs investigation from the Organised Crime Unit and called on the public to work with the police to trace the murderer/s.

Speaking about the recent double murder at Moorleigh Garage, which is close to Loskop, Mr Majola said that the IFP was very concerned about the escalating crime in the Loskop area.

“I have reported this tragedy and cruel killing to the IFP National Chairperson Blessed Gwala. He is very shocked and passed a word of condolence to the affected families. He also promised to request that the provincial government look closely into this matter,” said Mr Majola.