Manhunt for former mayor’s bodyguard’s killers
Plessislaer SAPS have launched a manhunt for three men who are believed to have viciously murdered the former Msunduzi mayor Themba Njilo’s bodyguard, Nkosinathi Nqayi, in front of minor children.
This incident, which is believed to be an assassination attack, occurred at Nqayi’s home in Dambuza on Saturday night.
According to family members, Nqayi was sitting on a veranda at around 8:30pm when three armed men stormed into his property.
"When he realised he was under attack, he told the children, aged 5, 11 and 13, to run away. Unfortunately, his friend’s fiveyear-old child was shot during this incident and is being treated in the hospital. The five-year-old victim was shot in the chest and on the arm while suspects were trying to shoot Nqayi who was trying to get into the dining room. This incident has left us shocked and traumatised,” said the family.
They said one of his children kneeled next to him and said “Dad, wake up”. Unfortunately he was already dead. “All we want is investigating officers to do their job. We are now scared to walk on the streets now. We want justice. We are more scared to be in the house since we don’t know what these people wanted or if they are going to come back. Children have been left traumatised by this incident. How are children going to live with such trauma? These attackers made sure that no one sees them as they had their faces covered. The door and wall has bullet holes,” they said.
Themba Njilo also expressed his condolences to the family. Njilo said he knew Nqayi when he was still very young. “He used to come to Nduduzo Funeral Services when he was very young. When I got an opportunity to be a mayor he left where he left his previous employment and came to be my bodyguard. He was a good boy who showed respect as I have said that I knew him from a young age,” said Njilo.
Plessislaer police spokesperson Sergeant Sifiso Gwala said three men stormed into Nqayi’s property while he was sitting on the veranda. “During the incident, Nqayi was with three children in the house. After seeing people entering his property, he ran to tell the children to go and hide. He ran to the dining room door. Other kids ran towards the kitchen and one tried to get out only to find that these attackers went all around and caught the child and brought the child inside. The five-year-old victim was shot in the chest and on the arm while suspects were trying to shoot Nqayi who was trying to get into the dining room. Nqayi had multiple gunshot wounds on the neck and face,” said Sergeant Gwala.
Sergeant Gwala said the child is recovering. “Police are investigating a murder and attempted murder case. The motive is still unknown,” he said.