The widow of a Mpumalanga chief and suspected rhino poaching kingpin Clyde Mnisi has been shot dead in what is believed to have been a gang-related attack.
Charlene Felicity Mathews, 30, was gunned down at the couple’s home in Mkhuhlu, Bushbuckridge in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The shooting took place two days after Mnisi was laid to rest at the Mnisi Tribal Authority on Sunday.
Sources close to the family told Sunday World that the assailants had allegedly warned Mnisi that he would pay for double-crossing them over millions of rands in crime proceeds.
“He owed them millions and a cache of weapons used in their criminal activities. These are [the] guys who believe in honour and they felt disrespected by the chief,” said the source.
“He was warned before the roadside shooting that claimed his life last week but he wouldn’t budge. Now his widow has become the latest victim in what looks like a beef that will never end.”
The source added that the next logical step would be for police to protect Mnisi’s mother or at least allow her to flee to Mozambique.
“There is talk around the Mkhuhlu area that these guys believe someone knows where the money is and they won’t stop until they find it.
“It is so sad that the poor mother might become a target, if not protected.”
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said two other men sustained gunshot wounds during an attack on the chief’s widow.
Mohlala explained: “Upon arrival they [the police] found the lifeless body of the woman with multiple gunshot wounds to the head.
“Two other males identified as family members also sustained gunshot wounds. They were taken to the hospital for medical treatment. The female victim was unfortunately certified dead by the paramedics.
“A preliminary investigation by the police has since revealed that the armed suspect[s] somehow got into the house and shot at the three victims and then fled the scene.”
No one has been arrested and a team of investigators has been assembled and has already started investigating with the hope to bring the perpetrator(s) to book.
Mnisi was fatally shot while travelling on the Airport Road near White River next to the Kruger-Mpumalanga International Airport on March 26.
His driver sustained injuries to the leg after he was also shot during the attack. He was rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.
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