Still no end to the Mafia-style killings

In what is believed to be the continuation of bloody gang warfare in Vhembe, another well-known businessman was shot dead execution-style on Thursday, 25 January. The latest assassination fuelled fears that the war between the various gangs is spiralling out of control and that many innocent people may become collateral damage in the process.

According to reports received, the victim, identified as 46-year-old Sydwell Mulaudzi from Khakhanwa village outside Malamulele, had just dropped off his child at school when he was met by a hail of bullets fired from a rifle and pistol at Malamulele B2. The incident occurred at around 07:30.

Mulaudzi, who owned a security company called VGT Protection Security and Protection Services, is believed to be the sixth victim killed since the bloody war started three years ago. His murder follows two other recent killings. In December last year, a security company owner, Target Mushavhanamadi, was killed in Sibasa. At the beginning of January this year, another man was shot dead at Hamangilasi in Vuwani during a shooting incident believed to be part of the warfare, but the victim was allegedly not the person whom the killers were looking for. Two other persons were also injured during the attack.

The police have not made any arrests in any of these cases yet, causing great concern for the communities, who have little confidence in the police and how they are handling the cases.

Mr Richard Ramabulana, a member of the Vhembe Concerned Group, blames the police outright. “The community is not safe anymore. We don’t know the motive of these killings or who will be next. The police seem to have taken a backseat in these cases as there still has not been a breakthrough in any of them,” he said.

A person who has some inside information on the warfare told Limpopo Mirror that the gang members are involved in the “booze” industry, running several bottle stores and shebeens all over Vhembe. In the last few years, many of them have ventured into the security industry. This makes procuring ammunition for their illegal firearms easier. “They are also able to wash their ill-begotten monies through these businesses,” he said. For obvious reasons, he did not want his identity to be disclosed.

Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba confirmed the latest incident. “We have since opened a murder case and launched a manhunt for the killers. The motive behind the incident is currently unknown, but further investigations will determine the motive. Anyone with positive information about the incident should contact Detective Sergeant Ebby Bilankulu on 082 319 9724, the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, the nearest police station, or they can visit the MySAPSApp,” he said.

Date:02 February 2024

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