In a shocking incident that has left the community reeling, a deadly shooting in Richards Bay CBD’s parking lot claimed the lives of at least five individuals on Tuesday, September 20, 2023. Law enforcement agencies swiftly launched a manhunt for the suspects responsible for this senseless violence that sent shockwaves through the area.
Preliminary investigations revealed that at least four suspects disembarked from a vehicle and unleashed a hail of gunfire upon the victims. Tragically, four individuals succumbed to their injuries at the scene, while a fifth victim later passed away due to gunshot wounds at a local clinic. The suspects fled the crime scene in a Blue VW Polo, leaving the motive behind the shooting shrouded in mystery. However, authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a drug-related conflict.
Know-A-Lot News, a fb page shared the news of recent incident. They stated in post that:
Nkululeko Mkhize [Back story]Five people shot dead at Richards Bay CBD parking lot earlier todayPolice have launched a manhunt for atleast five suspects who shot and fatally wounded five suspects at a shopping centre ‘s parking lot in Richards Bay CBD on Tuesday morning.Information at the police ‘s disposal indicates that four suspects alighted from a vehicle and opened fire at the victims.Four victims were certified dead at the scene whilst the fifth one succumbed to gunshot wounds at a local clinic. The suspects reportedly fled the scene of crime in a Blue VW Polo. The motive of the shooting has not been established although drug related turf war could not be ruled out.
In a shocking twist, on Wednesday, the investigation unveiled that Nkululeko Mkhize, a prominent businessman in KwaZulu-Natal, and his associates were linked to the gruesome massacre. The deadly incident unfolded at Estate Zimbali, located north of Durban. As the National Intervention Unit of the South African Police Service descended upon the estate in search of Mkhize, a violent gun battle ensued, resulting in his tragic demise.
Mkhize had been under scrutiny for his alleged connections to a drug gang. Subsequently, a raid at Mkhize’s residence in Ballito Estate unfolded on Wednesday, marking a grim chapter in the aftermath of the incident. In 2021, Mkhize garnered attention for his generous cash gift of R1.5 million during a traditional bridal shower, commonly referred to as an “indicia,” in Ulundi.
Francois Schoeman, CEO of Ballito Estate, expressed relief at the resolution, stating, “We are aware that one of our residents was involved in a legal matter. It’s a relief that our estate is now free from such elements.”
The police investigation has yielded crucial evidence, including the discovery of six firearms and over a thousand rounds of ammunition at the scene. Acting on information from multiple sources, law enforcement authorities tracked down the individuals believed to be responsible for the tragic murders in Richards Bay on Tuesday. Upon entering the residence, they were met with gunfire from the intruders. In the ensuing exchange of fire, two suspects, including Nkululeko Mkhize, were fatally shot. An investigation request has been submitted to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), and the search for any remaining suspects continues.
