Jozini ward councillor survives night shooting attempt

POLICE are investigating a case of attempted murder after a Jozini Local Municipality Ward 19 Councillor survived an ambushed.

Cllr Zakhele Nyawo (50) from Nondabuya, in Jozini was attacked by unknown gunman on Monday night.

More than five shots were fired towards him but the assailants missed their target.

Nyawo said after turning onto his driveway, he jumped off his vehicle to open the gate.

‘While I was opening the gate someone opened fire on me. Gunshots went off several times, but all bullets missed me,’ he said.

Nyawo said he cannot speculate who is behind the attack, and he doesn’t want to point figure at anyone.

“This is not new, I have received three death threats on my phone and the matter is now being investigated by the police.

‘These sms’s are from three different numbers and when we phone these numbers they all go to voice mail,’ he said.

Nyawo said that during the attack his bodyguard was off.

ALSO READ: Five suspects escaped from Empangeni Medium

Jozini Municipality provided Councillor Nyawo with a bodyguard after he had requested the council to protect him.

Jozini Speaker Cllr Lindiwe Gumbi confirmed that after an assessment conducted by the police it was discovered that Nyawo should be provided with bodyguards.

‘He wrote a letter to us after receiving a death threat sms,we then gave the latter to the SAPS to conduct the assessment, they then gave us the go ahead to provide him with body guards,’ said Gumbi.

Gumbi also said they are hoping that the police would find whoever is behind the death threats and the attack.

‘At this stage we cannot speculate who is behind the attack but we hope the police will conduct their investigation and arrest the suspects,’ she said.

Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala confirmed that a case of attempted murder is under investigation at Ingwavuma police station.

‘No injuries were sustained during the attack and the motive of the shooting is unknown. Ingwavuma police are investigating a case of attempted murder and no arrest has been made,’ said Gwala.