Bank manager from Sabie shot dead on her way home

Her family and the community of Sabie are mourning the untimely death of a FNB branch manager who was shot by unknown assailants on the R36 between Machadodorp and Carolina.

Mpumelelo Patricia Malaza was driving from Sabie to visit at her parental home in Carolina when the incident happened at about 13:00 on Friday.

Her uncle, Alphaeus Nhlabathi , said the family was heartbroken and did not understand why the suspects would kill her and not steal her car.

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“What surprised us the most is that nothing was stolen from her except her iPhone. We assume that she was followed by the killers all the way from Sabie until she was killed,” said Nhlabathi.

“Serious action must be taken to fight this pandemic of killing helpless women in our country. As a member of the Human Dignity Restoration leadership, I must condemn such a brutality in the strongest terms,” added Nhlabathi. Malaza had worked for several banking institutions before moving to Sabie two years ago as a branch manager.

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Residents of Sabie conveyed their condolences on Facebook and other social media platforms. Brig Leonard Hlathi, spokesperson for the police, confirmed the incident.

“She was shot while driving and lost control of the vehicle, which immediately came to a standstill. The police of Machadodorp responded to the scene. She was declared dead by paramedics. The police are investigating a case of murder,” he said.

Hlathi called on members of the public to assist the police with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects.