The man who was shot and killed at the Steiltes soccer ball reservoir has been identified as Samkelo Nkosi (34).
Nkosi was with a female friend on Monday evening, January 23, at about 19:30, when he was fatally shot.
According to a provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, Nkosi was an off-duty provincial traffic officer, however, another statement said afterwards Nkosi was not a traffic officer, nor was he employed by the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liasion. The second statement said Nkosi was reportedly working for another company contracted to the department.
ALSO READ: Barberton police arrest suspect for attack on flying squad members
Mohlala said after Nkosi was shot, he was robbed of his white VW Golf 7 and his service pistol.
Mohlala said Nkosi was pronounced dead on the scene by emergency medical services, and a case of murder with additional charges of robbery and carjacking are being investigated by the police.
He said no one has been arrested thus far.
Mohlala said preliminary investigations indicate Nkosi was with a female friend when two armed suspects approached them from some nearby bushes. The pair had been outside the vehicle, taking in the view, when they were confronted by the gunmen.
The woman was fortunately unharmed during the shooting and ran to a nearby filling station for help as soon as the suspects had fled the scene in the stolen Golf.
ALSO READ: Measles outbreak: 79 confirmed cases in Mpumalanga
“The police call on anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspects or the vehicle to contact the detective branch commander of Nelspruit SAPS, Detective Colonel Donald Mkhaliphi, on 079 230 3126, or the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111,” said Mohlala.
“Alternatively, send information via the My SAPS app. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.”
Mohlala said a manhunt for the suspects has since been launched and a team of investigators has been assembled under the leadership of the provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela.
Manamela has strongly condemned the incident and vowed that the perpetrators would be locked up.
