Festus ‘Mchini’ Matshogo, aged 58, the Ward 21 councillor in Mohlakeng, has passed away in hospital, just three days after an attack on his house in Mohlakeng.
In the early hours of Sunday, 12 May, Matshogo’s house was targeted. Preliminary investigations of the damage to the house suggested the possibility that the suspects could have used explosives other than petrol bombs.
Read initial article here:Â
Petrol-bombing leaves Mohlakeng councillor fighting for his life
Captain Kay Makhubela, the Gauteng Police spokesperson, confirmed on 13 May that members of the Police’s Explosives Unit had responded to reports of an incident of alleged arson between 4am and 5am. He also appealed for information to enable them to identify and apprehend the suspects behind the petrol-bombing of the councillor’s house.
Early on the morning of Thursday, 16 May, Tshidiso Thlaripe, the Rand West City Local Municipality spokesperson, and Bantam Matshogo, the brother of the deceased and the family spokesperson, confirmed that Matshogo had passed away during the afternoon of Wednesday, 15 May.
“The municipality would like to convey its deepest condolences to the family of Councillor Mchini, as he was commonly known. He had been a ward councillor since 2011 until his untimely death. Councillor Mchini succumbed to severe injuries he sustained during the bombing of his house in the early hours of Sunday. He tragically died between 5.30pm and 6pm in hospital today (15 May).”
Thlaripe went on to say the Executive Mayor, Mzi Elias Khumalo, also conveyed his sincere condolences to Matshogo’s bereaved family, immediate relatives and friends.
Thlaripe also condemned the crime perpetrated against the councillor, saying, “The mayor urged all those who have information regarding the brutal death of the councillor to report these details to the police. This will enable the police to make the necessary investigations and arrest those who are responsible for this merciless act.”
He said the municipality will inform the community of any developments regarding funeral arrangements.
“We take this moment to say, ‘Hamba kahle, Umkhonto We Sizwe’.”
