Kamogelo Olaitan
A member of Operation Dudula Siyabonga Mdlalose was shot dead on Saturday when a bus the group were travelling in was attacked in Jane Furse, Limpopo.
The following morning, one of the suspects in the killing was shot dead by police after allegedly pulling out a firearm as he tried to escape from them.
The Dudula members from Gauteng were in Limpopo on Saturday to launch their movement in the province. They also intended to hand over a memorandum to the local police management at the RDP Section of the small town.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the group was reportedly travelling in a bus which drove to a demarcated area to collect the female members who were staying at different houses in the RDP Section.
“While on their way back towards the sports ground, their bus was allegedly attacked and damaged by a group of unknown people using stones,” Mojapelo said.
The bus was then brought to a stop by the attackers. When members of Dudula got out of the bus to pursue the assailants, “a member of the community shot one of the [Dudula] members who died on the scene.”
The incident led to the cancellation of planned activities in the area.
Three suspects, a woman and two men aged 25 and 26, were charged with murder and malicious damage to property.
A fourth suspect was fatally wounded by the police on Sunday morning.
Police tracked the suspect down after hearing that he was threatening patrons at a local tavern.
When they arrived, “the suspect started running and in the process, he allegedly produced a firearm and aimed at the police who then responded by fatally wounding him,” Mojapelo said.
The suspect, 25, was allegedly found in possession of two loaded pistols which were positively linked to the murder.
The police have urged community members to assist them by providing information about the remaining suspects.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Mamaiti Fossi Mamaile, on 082 297 1778 or Crime Stop number 0860010111 or their nearest police station or MySAPSApp.
