Two men have been arrested in connection with the assassination of KwaZulu-Natal ward councillor Phendukani Mabhida, who was tragically shot and killed after an ambush at his home. Mabhida, elected as the councillor for Ward 18 in 2021, became a victim of a targeted attack when two individuals approached his residence under the guise of needing his assistance.
According to provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the suspects, aged 31 and 34, were apprehended during a routine patrol by Public Order Policing officers. The officers, displaying vigilance, stopped and searched the men, discovering two firearms with filed-off serial numbers in their possession. They were initially charged with the illegal possession of firearms.
Subsequent investigations by the Political Task Team connected the two men to Mabhida’s murder and the attempted murder of his sister, who had tried to intervene during the shooting. On the fateful day, when Mabhida stepped out of his home to assist the alleged assailants, they opened fire on him. His sister was also shot in the chaos, but both victims were rushed to a local health facility. Tragically, Mabhida was declared dead on arrival.
Further investigation revealed that the two men had also been linked to the murder of an induna, killed in Sundumbilio on January 25, adding to the gravity of their criminal activities. The suspects are set to appear in court on Friday at the Nyoni Magistrate’s Court, where they will face the charges against them, including murder and attempted murder. This case has shocked the community, and authorities are continuing their efforts to unravel the motives behind these brutal acts.
