Mpumalanga chief killed by gunmen while waiting for car tyre to be fixed

A local chief in Mpumalanga, Clyde Mnisi, was gunned down on Sunday night while waiting for his car’s punctured tyre to be fixed.

Mpumalanga chief murdered

Mnisi was killed next to the Kruger-Mpumalanga International Airport, on Airport Road, near White River, at around 11pm.

The driver of the car was also shot in the leg. Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said he is receiving medical treatment for the injuries.

Mohlala added that police are investigating a case of murder and attempted murder.

Ambushed while car had flat tyre

Mnisi was allegedly ambushed while waiting for help after the Toyota Avanza he was travelling in had a punctured tyre.

“Whilst waiting for assistance, it is alleged that a group of about five heavily armed men wearing balaclavas and gloves came in a BMW X5. They then alighted from the vehicle with high calibre rifles and went straight to the passenger side where the chief was sitting,” said Mohlala.

He added that the armed men said some words to Mnisi before they opened fire.

“The chief sustained multiple gunshot wounds and, unfortunately, succumbed to his injuries.”

Mohlala said no one has been arrested yet.

“Police urge anyone with information that may assist in apprehending the perpetrators to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Alternatively, members of the public can send information via the MYSAPS app. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous,” he said.

Mnisi charged with rhino poaching, corruption and money laundering

Julian Rademeyer, Director of the Organised Crime Observatory for East and Southern Africa at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime, took to Twitter to provide some background on Mnisi.

He said Mnisi was arrested in September 2018, for crimes including theft, conspiracy to commit a crime, illegal buying and selling of rhino horns, corruption, money laundering and racketeering.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Rhino poaching ‘kingpins’ busted include three policemen

He allegedly worked closely with Hazyview crime boss Petros Sydney Mabuza. Mabuza was killed by gunmen while sitting in car at the Lowveld Mall in Hazyview in June 2021.

Mnisi was set to appear in the Mbombela High Court on 17 April 2023, for rhino poaching.

Rademeyer alleged that before shooting Mnisi, the gunmen said: “We got you. We told you that we will find you”.

The hitmen were apparently wearing balaclavas and gloves and one of them reportedly said to Mnisi, “We got you. We told you that we will find you.” Then they opened fire.

— Julian Rademeyer (@julianrademeyer) March 27, 2023

Rademeyer also said that a female passenger and a security guard who was helping change their tyre were not hurt in the shooting.

NOW READ: SA sees ‘steady decline’ in rhino poaching in national parks