Everson Luhanga
Mthokozisi Ntumba, 35, left home on Wednesday morning happy and well – and never returned.
The man who was shot dead in Braamfontein during the Wits student protest was described as the bright light of his family.
“He went to the clinic for a normal doctor’s check-up,” said his cousin Sthembiso Jwara.
Mthokozisi’s wife received a call informing her that her husband was dead. By that time, the news of his death was all over the media.
“There were already images circulating that we were not ready to see,” said Sthembiso.
“He was a breadwinner. We are devastated.”
Mthokozisi, a husband and father of four, worked at the Department of Human Settlement as a townhouse planner for over three years. He was pursuing his Master’s Degree. His youngest child is an eight-month-old toddler.
Mthokozisi’s brother Sanele Ntumba, who was visibly emotional, couldn’t control his tears.
“We are heartbroken,” he said.
Police Minister Bheki Cele visited the family on Thursday morning, accompanied by provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela and investigators from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.
Speaking to the media outside Mthokozisi’s family house in Kempton Park, Cele said: “I can’t explain it. Somebody just went crazy.”
The family declined to comment on the minister’s statement. They said they want answers and they want justice to prevail.
Wits students have been protesting demanding that the university allow all students with historical debt to register.
NPA South Gauteng spokeswoman Phindile Mjonondwane said they declined to prosecute the seven students who were arrested on Thursday during the protest. They have been released.
IPID is investigating Mthokozisi’s murder.
