Son remembers his father after shooting
The two friends were standing in front the shop when they were shot and killed by unknown assailants.
It has been an emotional time for the families of Cebelihle Primary School Principal, 63-year-old Buthanani Shange and his friend, 47-year-old businessman Martin Sithole, who were gunned down outside Sithole’s shop, Oribi Bottle Store, on Voortrekker Street on May 12.
The two friends were standing in front the shop when they were shot and killed by unknown assailants.
Shange’s son, Simele Shange recalled that dreadful day: “My wife and I live between Newcastle and Johannesburg, and when I received that fateful call, I was in Johannesburg. My cousin called me to tell me about the shooting and my father being involved, but when I inquired no one wanted to tell me if he was still alive. I got in my car and drove straight to Newcastle. When I arrived, there was already a lot of cars outside our house and I found out about his passing only then.”
Simele said his mother had been left completely stricken by the murder.
“My mom is totally devastated. She expected to see her husband back home as on any normal day, but that wasn’t to happen. My dad had gone to church and suddenly my mom received this traumatic call. It has been really hard on her, especially because it was just the two of them left at home now. They had been married for over 30 years, and my mom has lost her soul mate. It’s been an emotional time for all of us.”
Both Shange and Sithole died on the scene, while three bystanders were wounded and rushed to hospital for medical treatment.
Simele reminisced about his father and his years of teaching.
“My dad was teaching for about 40 years and was going to retire this year. I recently saw a video of him dancing at school, and it will probably be my fondest memory of him. He was passionate about teaching, about his learners and his colleagues. That kind of passion is admirable.”
He remembered seeing him for the last time.
“I think it was last Thursday, because I had to leave for Johannesburg the next day. We had a short conversation. He was just so greatly connected to so many people, wherever he would enter, you felt my dad’s presence. All I can say now is, all the rooms are empty because he is no longer there.”
Simele believes his father was not associated with any political involvement.
“My dad was not politically affiliated to any party. Our stance as a family is, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. If he had been anywhere else, maybe this wouldn’t have happened, and he would still be alive.”
SAPS is currently investigating the two murders and three attempted murder cases.
“While the motive of the attack is not clear at this stage, it has been decided the task team which investigates political killings have taken over this investigation,” said National SAPS spokesman, Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo.
ALSO READ: CBD shooting leaves two dead and one injured
Contact us
WhatsApp: 082 874 5550
Email: Reveshni Douglas (Editor) at reveshni@caxton.co.za
Make sure you follow us for constant updates:
