BYSTANDER SHOT DEAD, 2 INJURED IN RESTAURANT ROBBERY

MATSANJENI – An innocent bystander was shot dead, while two others were injured when armed robbers stormed a restaurant at Matsanjeni on Sunday night.
The shooting took place around 9pm, shortly before closing time. Matsanjeni is located about 59km to the south of Nhlangano, towards the southern border town of Lavumisa, and closer to the borderline separating the country from northern KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa.Witnesses said it was nearing closing time at the business establishment when three men ambushed staff and forced them to open a cash register. One of the intruders was reportedly armed with a gun and another accomplice carried a knife, according to the witnesses. They are said to have then rummaged through the cash register, taking all the day’s collections, which amounted to E6 700. Upon laying their hands on the cash, the robbers are said to have fled towards the parking lot of Ekhaya Restaurant, which is located at the Matsanjeni business area. While fleeing, the rogues are said to have indiscriminately opened fire, injuring three people they came across in the process.

Injured

One of the victims did not make it, while two others were seriously injured and had to be taken to different health facilities. They were initially taken to a nearby health facility, where they were further transferred to two others due to the extent of their injuries.The person who did not make it was certified dead at Matsanjeni Health Centre. The 34-year-old man was found unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head.The victim was later identified as a Mozambican national, who had been employed by the restaurant owner as a bricklayer. However, at the time of the attack, he was just milling around the area, after he had finished his duties for the day.A staff member of the restaurant, a security guard, who was manning the premises, was among the two who were caught in the crossfire.

The other victim was identified as a customer who had come to the restaurant to get himself something to wad-off his hunger pangs. A hurried call brought police officers to the scene. Investigators are now working together with the local community policing forum to bring the culprits to book.A community member disclosed to this publication that even yesterday morning, a number of police officers were seen processing the crime scene for possible clues.“There were just a lot of police officers,” he said.Information reaching this publication indicated that the net was closing in on the suspects.The incident left community members terrified. Interviewed community members called for frequent patrols and increased police visibility around the area.

Discomfort

Among the people who expressed their discomfort over the lack of police visibility in the area was former Member of Parliament (MP) Qedusizi Ndlovu.“I am shocked and disappointed at the same time. We have been complaining about the lack of police visibility for quite a long time and I wonder what is taking authorities so long to intervene. We need at least a police post, because this is a very busy area; there is a lot of business going on around here,” he said.Apart from the economic activity taking place around the area, Ndlovu also highlighted that there was a lot of drinking going on.“You can imagine what happens when there is a lot of alcohol consumption.

The place seriously needs constant monitoring,” he insisted.This was further corroborated by current parliamentary representative Vusi Ndlangamandla, who indicated that the area was soon gaining the notoriety of being a crime spot. He said criminal elements usually take advantage of the nearby porous borderline.The shooting incident was confirmed by Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, in a press statement.She further reported that police charged a 31-year-old man of Mbhuleni and a 24-year-old man of Mehlwabovu for being found in possession of a dagga consignment weighing 124.9kg. The illicit herb was stashed in a white Freightliner horse and trailer truck, which was intercepted around Matsapha at around 7pm on Saturday. Arraignment of the pair is expected soon.

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