Collins Chabane local municipality mayor and ANC deputy secretary in the Vhembe region Moses Maluleke was shot and killed in front of his home in Shikundu, outside Malamulele, on Thursday night. His 18-year-old son was wounded in the attack.
Police said the 56-year-old man was shot and killed by three suspects who entered his home in Saselamani village at 7pm on Thursday night. It is alleged that the trio demanded money from Moses and his son.
“When the pair could not comply with the suspects’ instructions, they were allegedly shot by the trio,” said Colonel Athlenda Mathe.
Mathe said Maluleke died from his wounds on the scene and his son was taken to hospital to receive treatment. “The son was transported to a nearby where he is receiving further medical care. A case of murder and attempted murder is has been registered. Police have since launched a manhunt for the group of suspects.”
Machaka Mathole Jimmy, the ANC Limpopo spokesperson confirmed the murder incident. “Last night, we received the very sad news about the killing of the ANC Deputy Secretary in the Vhembe region as well as the mayor of Collins Chabane Municipality.”
Jimmy said the detail around the shooting are still not clear. He added that the ANC Provincial and Vhembe leadership would be visiting the Mauleke family and also the injured son in hospital.
“We condemn this barbaric and senseless killing of our leader and the mayor of the people. We are calling on members of the public with any information to pass that on to law enforcement agencies.”
The National Commissioner of the South African Police Services (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola instructed the police in Limpopo to maximise resources to apprehend those responsible for Maluleke’s murder.
Source: Eyewitness News, Times Live, SABC News, The Citizen, image from