Suspected rhino poaching kingpin killed near White River

Chief Clyde Mnisi (37), who was accused of being a kingpin in a massive rhino poaching syndicate, was gunned down in an apparent hit on Sunday March 26.

According to a provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, Mnisi had been travelling as a passenger in a Toyota Avanza on the KMI Airport road when one of the vehicle’s tyres got punctured. The driver stopped on the roadside and was waiting for assistance to change the tyre, when a group of about five heavily armed men wearing balaclavas and gloves drove up to the Avanza in a BMW X5.

Mohlala said the men climbed out of the BMW carrying high-calibre rifles, and went straight to the passenger’s side where Mnisi was sitting, spoke to him and opened fire.

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He was hit several times and died on the scene. The Mpumalanga police are still investigating the motive for his murder and searching for his shooters.

Mnisi, who was inaugurated as a senior traditional leader of the Mnisi Traditional Council in October 2022, is the third person who was involved in an upcoming Mpumalanga High Court case regarding rhino poaching-related charges next month, to be killed.

Mnisi was set to appear in court on April 17 facing charges relating to rhino poaching and money laundering.

His death follows that of another suspected rhino poaching king pin, Petros Sidney Mabuza, known to many as Mshengu, who was shot multiple times in broad daylight opposite a garage in Hazyview on June 17, 2021.

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The two had originally been arrested and charged along with four other suspects, Claude Lubisi, Joseph Nyalunga, Aretha Mhlanga and Rachel Qwebana, in September 2018.

The Mpumalanga Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (Hawks) spokesperson, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, told Lowvelder the case had initially been investigated by the late Lieutenant Colonel Leroy Bruwer of the Hawks, who was shot and killed on his way to work on March 17, 2020.

According to the Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, the upcoming trial against Mnisi will still take place against his four remaining co-accused between April 17 and May 19.

Meanwhile, the general public has had a mixed reaction regarding Mnisi’s death. Lowvelder’s Facebook page received various comments on the post regarding his murder with some calling for Mnisi’s killers to be found and brought to justice, while others simply stated “Live by the sword, die by the sword”.

The MEC for co-operative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta), Mandla Msibi, also released a statement following Mnisi’s murder.

“Cogta is deeply saddened by this assassination. We call on the police to pursue the assassins, so that they may face the full might of the law. Mnisi’s death has left a significant void in the institution of traditional leadership in our province.”

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The Provincial House of Traditional Leaders and Khoi-San (HTLKS) also reiterated Msibi’s call for the suspects’ arrest. The chairperson of HTLKS, Kgoshi Lameck Mokoena, grieved the incident. He said Mnisi had dedicated his life to the service of his community, for development through a variety of projects.

A family member of Mnisi, who wished not to be named as they do not have permission to speak on behalf of the family, said the family are still in shock.
“It is like a dream to them, because he had been on the throne for five months, and now they must prepare for his funeral while they were still looking forward to his leadership. The families are still going to meet to finalise his burial date and call for the arrest of the perpetrators,” said the relative.

A case of murder with an additional charge of attempted murder for the driver who was shot, was opened and is under investigation. Mohlala confirmed that the driver was shot in the leg and is recovering well.