DA ward candidate shot dead at his door in Zamdela as police hunt two gunmen

A Democratic Alliance ward candidate was shot dead outside his own home in Zamdela on Monday night, and the police in the Free State have opened a murder case but say they do not yet know why he was killed.

Thulani Mbana, the DA’s Ward 14 candidate, was at his residence in Taylor Park at about 21:40 when two unknown men approached and called out to him, according to the South African Police Service. When he went towards them, one of the men allegedly produced a firearm and shot him several times at close range. The two fled on foot.

Mbana sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.

The provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia, has activated the Zamdela Trio Task Team and the Serious Organised Crime Unit to investigate the killing, trace and arrest the suspects and establish the circumstances around the incident.

Police state plainly that the motive has not been established and that it has not been confirmed whether the shooting was politically motivated. All possible leads are being pursued, the statement says.

The killing comes with the local government elections ahead, and the same police statement records that the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure in the Free State is ready to coordinate security measures for peaceful, safe and incident-free elections. Lesia said criminality and acts of violence will not be tolerated and that the police remain committed to enforcing the law impartially and protecting the rights and safety of all communities.

SAPS has appealed to anyone who saw the incident or can help identify and trace the two men to come forward. The investigation officer is Captain Sandile Dladla, reachable on 082 453 6245 or 073 226 6788. Information can also go to Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or anonymously through the MySAPS App.

The police have asked the public not to spread unverified information or speculation on social media, warning that it could compromise the investigation.

The Enquirer has reported this from the SAPS media statement of the Office of the Provincial Commissioner Free State, which is a summary of the case rather than the case docket itself: SAPS statement.