‘Big price’ on shot councillor’s head

RICHMOND councillor Sfiso Mkhize survived two previous attempts on his life before he was gunned down this week.

ANC ward 2 local councillor Mkhize, 41, of the Ndaleni area, was driving home on Thursday night when he was hit by a hail of bullets.

It was not immediately clear if Mkhize had other business interests and who would have wanted him dead.

Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the newly formed political task team led by the Hawks was investigating the killing of Mkhize.

“We have our investigating team on the ground collecting information.

“There is no breakthrough yet but we hope that an arrest will be made soon,” Mulaudzi said.

An official who declined to be named said at about 7pm on Thursday he heard shots not far from his house but when he got to the scene Mkhize had already succumbed to his injuries.

“He was surrounded by a shocked crowd who cried at this merciless killing. He was full of bullet wounds both on his body and in the head. The smell of blood next to his motionless body was unbearable. His car had bullets in it all over. I could randomly count 18 cartridges on the scene. It is clear his assassin wanted him dead. Most probably there was a big price on his head,” he said.

Family spokesperson Mbali Nhlangulela, who is the sister of Mkhize’s wife Nomasonto, said they were devastated.

“It is difficult to think about his death after his life was threatened several times before in 2002 and 2013. The first shooting incident happened in his house but he survived.

“The second happened at the bus stop when a group of armed men appeared from nowhere and opened fire at him.

“Fortunately, he ran and dived into a hole and covered himself with grass and leaves,” Nhlangulela said.

At the time of his death, Mkhize was serving a third term as a councillor.

Richmond municipality spokesperson Sibonelo Bhengu said the killing came when they were trying to come to terms with the death of the municipal manager Edward Sibusiso Sithole in March followed by the death of local councillor Thandazile Phoswa.

“The recent killings have exacerbated fears,” Bhengu said. nkululeko.nene@inl. co.za