Condolences are pouring in for former SABC and e.tv sports anchor turned government spokesperson Jeffrey Sbusiso Zikhali.
Zikhali who in his early broadcasting career worked for Ikhwezi community radio station located at kwaSizabantu mission in Kranskop, KwaZulu-Natal, is believed to have met his untimely death on Friday evening.
His last known movements were of him driving near Indabayakhe, a village near Empangeni on the north coast. He was then accosted by unknown gunmen who fired deadly shots at him before fleeing with his vehicle.
Provincial police spokesman Robert Netshiunda confirmed the brutal killing, saying police were on a hunt for possible suspects.
“Empangeni police have opened a case of murder for investigation after the body of a 59-year-old man was found lying on R102 near the Ndabayakhe off-ramp on Friday,” Netshiunda explained on Saturday.
He added that a cellphone and a driver’s license were found next to the deceased body which was used to identify Zikhali.
KZN department of community safety expressed its shock at the brutal slaying of Zikhali.
“MEC [Sipho] Hlomuka condemns the callous and inhumane murder of Mr Zikhali and we urge community members to assist police in apprehending the criminals so that justice can take it course,” said departmental spokesperson Kwanele Ncalane.
Zikhali also had a stint serving as government communicator. He was the spokesperson for the provincial department of agriculture and rural development under the late Meshack Radebe.
