Lungani Zungu
The off-duty cop was at a shebeen having drinks and playing snooker with friends when hit men shot him in full view of the patrons. He was rushed to the hospital, where he died moments later.
Sergeant Siyabonga Radebe, a police dog handler, was planning to get married.
He was shot multiple times at a local shebeen at Umlazi C section on Tuesday. His killers fled on foot.
His close friend Thabo said Radebe had been planning to tie the knot early next year and he was busy paying lobola for his girlfriend. He said Radebe, who was fondly known by his peers as Baby Police, had recently bought a house at Umlazi E section.
Another witness at the scene said the two hit men didn’t look suspicious.
“I didn’t even notice them when they arrived but then we all ran for cover when we heard gunshots,” said the man.
Attempts to speak to Radebe’s would-be wife were unsuccessful as her phone rang to voicemail.
Thabo’s sister Thandi said the family was devastated.
“He did not have enemies. He was loved by many people and had a lot of friends. My head is spinning,” she said.
She said she hoped the police would arrest his killers soon. “It’s painful because he was planning to have his own family, but now he is dead.”
Radebe worked at the Umlazi’s K9 Unit. It was unclear what triggered his killing.
Police spokesperson Colonel Brenda Muridili said they have launched a swift action to arrest his killers.
His killing comes just weeks after the slaying of Ndwedwe police station commander Lieutenant-Colonel Jabulani Ndawonde, 55 who was shot and killed in Bhamshela last month.
