TODAY A YEAR AGO: Van Riebeeck Park actor’s killers were on a ‘hijacking spree’
The executive mayor of Ekurhuleni, Clr Mzwandile Masina, will visit the family home in Van Riebeeck Park on Friday morning to pay his respects
On August 16, 2017, this was the trending story on our website:
THE hijackers who shot Rhythm City actor Dumisani (Dumi) Masilela (29) of Van Riebeeck Park in Tembisa on Wednesday night, seem to have been out on a “hijacking spree” that night.
Driving a Jeep hijacked in Daveyton earlier that evening, they wounded Masilela trying to also hijack his VW Golf 7. Masilela died in hospital on Thursday morning.
Chief Supt Wilfred Kgasago, metro police spokesman, said the owner of the Jeep Wrangler was pistol-whipped so severely that he ended up in hospital. The Jeep was hijacked at around 7pm and shortly before 8.30pm Masilela was shot, trying to drive away from his assailants.
Also read:
• Rhythm City’s Dumi Masilela dies
Kgasago said the EMPD received a message about the hijacked Jeep Wrangler on Thursday morning at around 8.30am. Within 30 minutes it was tracked to Ebony Park in Tembisa where it was found abandoned.
Masilela was sitting in his Golf in Umnonjaneni Section, talking to a friend, when they were attacked.
“Dumisani’s vehicle was idling when a black Jeep arrived with three to four males inside. One of the males walked up to Masilela’s vehicle and just shot him,” Tembisa South SAPS communication officer, Capt Neldah Sekgobela, told The Tembisan.
SAPS Gauteng spokesperson, Capt Kay Makhubele, said police had launched a manhunt for the suspects.
“One of the male suspects allegedly walked up to the victim’s vehicle and the driver [Masilela] noticed the suspect was carrying a firearm. He drove off.”
The suspect then shot him, wounding him in the upper body.
The wounded Masilela managed to drive off. His friend took over and drove to Tembisa Hospital where he died the next morning.
Police appeal to anyone with information to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or contact their nearest police station.
The executive mayor of Ekurhuleni, Clr Mzwandile Masina, will visit the family home in Van Riebeeck Park on Friday morning to pay his respects.
“It is with shock and sadness that South Africans learned of the tragic passing of Dumi Masilela. Crime has robbed us of such a promising star from the City of Ekurhuleni,” Masina said in a statement on Friday morning before visiting the family.
“We call upon law enforcement agents to work tirelessly to put these culprits behind bars. We also urge the EMPD to work hand in hand with the SAPS, together with the community to bring about justice in the matter.”
