FOUR suspects, including a traditional healer, will appear at the Empangeni Magistrate’s Court today (Monday) in connection with the murder of an eSikhaleni couple in Empangeni on Thursday evening.
Nhlanhla Edward Shange (68) and his wife Bajabulile (66) were gunned down in their vehicle at around 5.30pm at the Empangeni A taxi rank.
The well-known couple, who had a food stall at the taxi rank, was also robbed of their belongings and an undisclosed amount of cash.
Arriving at the scene, Empangeni police received a tip-off that the suspects had fled in a red Toyota Corolla on the R34 towards Heatonville and gave chase.
‘The car was spotted further and stopped by the police,’ said Empangeni SAPS Communications Officer, Captain Mdlalose.
‘After searching the vehicle and the suspects, two unlicensed 9mm firearms and ammunition were discovered. We also seized an undisclosed amount of cash and some items which were allegedly taken from the deceased,’ said Mdlalose.
The four suspects are to be charged with two counts of murder, one count of business robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
‘The four suspects are between the ages of 26 and 36 years. One of them was identified as an Inyanga (traditional healer) who operates his business at the taxi rank,’ Mdlalose said.
News of the killing filtered through the community on Friday, leaving eSikhaleni residents in shock. uMhlathuze City Mayor Elphas Mbatha sent his condolences to the Shange family early on Friday morning.
He called for the speedy improvement of the rank, especially lighting, following a meeting last week with taxi associations operating from the rank.
‘I visited this taxi rank in 2012 and asked that, among other things, lighting be looked at. This must now be prioritised to reduce incidences of crime,’ Mbatha said.
