VANDERBIJLPARK. – A female employee of the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) was shot and killed yesterday afternoon in what appears to be a targeted assassination in broad daylight on Frikkie Meyer
Boulevard.
The incident took place at approximately 16:00 at Fiti Exhaust, barely a block away from the Vanderbijlpark Police Station. According to preliminary reports, Mani Rantsofu (39) was waiting at the business when an unknown man confronted her head-on and, without warning, shot her five times in the head.
She was single and did not have children.
Getaway vehicle sought
Following the attack, the shooter fled to a waiting vehicle, a blue Volkswagen Polo, and sped away. It remains unclear whether someone else was driving the car. Although the security cameras at the scene unfortunately captured blurred images, there is hope that neighbouring businesses or security firms in
the busy area may be able to provide valuable footage of the murder and the getaway vehicle.
Victim profile
The deceased was a well known staff member in the Emfuleni Municipality’s finance department. She was in daily contact with the public, where she assisted residents with the municipality’s debt write-off project.
“This is a tragic loss. She was a beautiful young woman, both inside and out. She was a valued employee at the ELM for more than 10 years. We are devastated,” said Hassan Mako, MMC for Finance.
Mako is also of the opinion that this appears to be a calculated attack.
It was not reported that anything was stolen, and the attacker headed straight for his target.
“There is, however, uncertainty as to whether the murder is work-related or personal in nature. We must trust that the SAPS will investigate the matter thoroughly and find answers,” Mako said.
The area was busy at the time of the incident, and the police are appealing to any witnesses who may have seen the vehicle or the shooter to come forward.
Police said, “ A 40-year-old woman was shot and killed and the suspects fled. There are no arrests at this stage, and investigations are continuing.”
