City of Johannesburg chief whip Sithembiso Zungu was shot and injured in an attack that claimed the life of a Rand Water executive.
Margaret Arnolds, the speaker of the City of Johanneburg council, confirmed this on Monday in a media statement.
“The speaker of council, Margaret Arnolds, wishes to alert the residents of the City of Johannesburg metropolitan municipality that the chief whip of council, Sithembiso Zungu, was this morning injured in a shooting incident that occurred in the south of Johannesburg,” she said.
According to the statement, Zungu was attending to official council business and is currently receiving medical attention.
“Further details on the incident will be communicated at a later stage once they are available. The speaker urged residents to refrain from sharing unconfirmed reports.
“The private office of the speaker will, at an appropriate time, give a detailed media statement.”
Rand Water confirms the shooting
Rand Water confirmed in a statement that its executive died following the shooting.
Water entity’s top official killed “Rand Water sadly confirms a tragic incident that claimed the life of an executive on Monday, January 29,” said Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo.
“As an organisation, we are shocked and devastated by the tragic passing of our treasured colleague after a tragic incident that occurred at Rand Water’s Back to School campaign at Zakarriya Park Community Centre.”
“Rand Water’s policy prohibits the organisation from releasing the employee’s name without the family’s consent.
“The water utility does not have further details but is working closely with investigators as they assess and investigate the tragic incident. We will be providing updates as they are released to us.
“As an organisation, we ask the media to please respect the highly sensitive nature of this incident for our employees and the family of the executive.”
However, in an internal memo, Rand Water announced to staff that the entity’s chief shared services officer Teboho Joala was killed.
The mayor of Johannesburg, Kabelo Gwamanda, condemned the shooting. He said the city’s social services department will provide psychosocial support to the community and children who witnessed the incident.
“This incident once more gives us a shattering impression of the lawlessness and brazenness with which criminal elements terrorise our society,” said Gwamanda.
“To have such a tragic incident occur in broad daylight and in the presence of community members and children is beyond one’s comprehension and belief.
“The senseless killing of people and officials must be brought to an end as a matter of urgency.”
He extended his condolences to the families of the two deceased persons and wished Zungu and the other two wounded victims a speedy recovery.
The motive is not known
Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, the spokesperson for police in Gauteng, said the search is on for the suspects.
“It is reported that an unknown number of suspects entered the hall where there was a donation function and started shooting before fleeing the scene with an unknown white vehicle,” said Nevhuhulwi.
“Two people were declared dead on the scene, while three others were taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds.”
She said the motive for the attack is being investigated.
