One dead, two injured in N2 shooting
Izingolweni traditional leader Inkosi Simphiwe Cele (39) and Mlondi Shandy (31) survived a shooting, however, the driver of the vehicle they were travelling in, Mazwili Cele (42), died at the scene.
A case of murder and two charges of attempted murder have been opened for investigation after the incident on the N2 in Izingolweni on Tuesday afternoon last week.
It is believed that Inkosi Cele was returning from the Vukuzithathe Tribal Authority after attending a business forum meeting.
As his VW Polo sedan joined the N2, he came under attack by men in a white Toyota Corolla. A chase ensued and it is believed that Mazwili Cele knocked a cow, and the vehicle came to a stop on an embankment.
It is alleged that all three got out of the vehicle and hid for safety. Inkosi Cele and Shandy were found wounded and taken to hospital, but Mazwili Cele was found dead.
Police found 12 high calibre rifle cartridges and three 9mm cartridges on the scene.
Ugu Saps District Communications said the motive for the shooting will be established during the unfolding investigations. No arrests have been made as yet.
The MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, condemned the assassination attempt on Inkosi Cele.
'This attack is concerning as it paints a picture of a growing trend of violence targeting Amakhosi and other figures within the institution of traditional leadership.'
Buthelezi called on law enforcement agencies to deploy all necessary resources to apprehend those responsible.
He extended his condolences to the family of Mazwili Cele and wished Inkosi Cele and Shandy a speedy recovery.
If anyone has information on the incident, contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Fever's Facebook page
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Bail appeal dismissed for alleged Durban drug dealer accused of bribing survivor
The suspect fatally wounded his former employee and injured another, who survived the shooting. An Durban alleged drug dealer has suffered another setback after his appeal challenging the denial of his release on bail was dismissed. Shirwin Nowtham will remain in custody until his trial begins after his application for leave to appeal was rejected by the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) High Court. Nowtham was charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with a shooting that took place a year ago. Durban drug dealer 'shoots' his employees It is alleged that on 29 August 2024, Nowtham fatally shot his former employee and wounded another, who survived being shot with a shotgun. The survivor and the deceased had previously worked for Nowtham selling drugs. On the day of the shooting, Nowtham and a man named Stephen arrived in a grey VW Polo and picked them up for another job. At some point, the two victims were forced out of the vehicle, and Nowtham allegedly opened fire on them. ALSO READ: Crime Intelligence CFO, co-accused granted bail in burglary cover-up Nowtham was arrested on 14 September. He was refused bail by the Verulam Magistrate's Court on 4 October. Rather than appealing that ruling immediately, Nowtham later renewed his bail application, citing new evidence. In his application, the accused referred to his son's ongoing illness, his own hypertension, and the survivor's retraction of the claim that he was the shooter. Survivior's statements The survivor had initially made a statement three days before Nowtham's arrest and then a second one on 18 November. In the second statement made to a police officer, the victim confirmed Nowtham had shot him and also claimed that the suspect bribed him during a prison phone call to change his testimony, paying him R5 000 and promised an additional R20 000 to drop the charges. Despite this, the survivor maintained that he did not want to withdraw the charges. On 25 November, attorney Mondli Mthethwa filed an affidavit stating that the survivor, accompanied by two men, approached him wanting to declare that Nowtham was not the shooter. READ MORE: 'Why were alarm bells not sounded sooner?' – Jayden-Lee Meek's mother denied bail The survivor explained that he had first approached the police but was told they did not want to take his statement. The victim then gave a further statement to another attorney, Ivy Mukweka, in January this year in which he claimed that Stephen, not Nowtham, was responsible for the shooting. Nowtham contended that these developments weakened the prosecution's case and amounted to new facts warranting his release on bail. The bail application was, however, denied on 14 March, leading Nowtham to appeal to the high court. High Court judgment In his ruling, Judge Robin Mossop acknowleged that there is 'substantial uncertainty' about the survivor's definitive version of events. He highlighted the state's argument that other evidence, which Nowtham had not focused on, pointed to his involvement. One such fact was that the deceased did not die immediately, and reportedly told a security guard that Nowtham was the shooter. 'That dying declaration was heard by a security guard who, alerted by the sound of the shooting, proceeded to the scene where he found the injured survivor and the dying deceased,' Mossop said. READ MORE: Likely to destroy evidence: Accused's bail bid rejected in Ditebogo Phalane murder case The judge also referenced evidence linking Nowtham with the crime through the grey Polo. 'The security guard apparently stated that he had observed a grey Polo motor vehicle with CY registration plates leaving the scene. 'Immediately after the shootings, the motor vehicle was returned to the dealer who had sold it to the appellant, and it was apparently swapped for another motor vehicle. Why this strange turn of events occurred was not explained by the appellant.' Mossop further pointed out that telephone tower evidence placed Nowtham's phone near the shooting location. He said the Verulam Magistrate's Court gave a 'reasoned judgment' on the bail application based on the new facts. 'Extremely strange' According to Mossop, the only potentially new fact was the sequence of affidavits from the survivor. 'Objectively speaking, the circumstances under which the affidavits that purported to exonerate the appellant came into existence are extremely strange. 'The survivor described himself in the affidavit drafted for him by Ms Mukweka as being an adult unemployed and unmarried male,' the judgment reads. 'In addition, he was apparently a person who had to be given a handout to purchase groceries, yet he was prepared to consult with two different private attorneys to prepare two statements. 'Why did he consult private attorneys? Where did he get the money to do this from? 'Why did he simply not report what he wished to say to the investigating officer and thereby avoid the cost that he must indubitably have incurred consulting with private attorneys? 'I do not accept, as allegedly stated by the survivor and as previously mentioned, that the Saps refused to take his statement. The answers to these questions are not immediately obvious,' Mossop continued. Nowtham's appeal was consequently dismissed as evidence showed his ability to interfere with state witnesses. NOW READ: Cop and prosecutor get bail in R1.6 million extortion case
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
Cops and robbers shoot-out in Pinetown
FOUR house robbery suspects were shot and injured in a shoot-out with the police in Pinetown on Tuesday. Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the suspects had just committed a house robbery when they were locked in a shoot-out with the police on Underwood Road in Pinetown on Tuesday afternoon. 'Police responded to a house robbery on Oxford Road at Paradise Valley in Pinetown, and as they approached the house which was being robbed, police identified a white VW Polo which was driving in the opposite direction and immediately attempted to stop the vehicle. Also read: Westville hospital rejects racism claims 'The driver of the vehicle ignored police's instructions and sped off. A high speed chase ensued and on Underwood Road, the suspects opened fire towards police officers. 'Police returned fire and a shoot-out ensued. After the shoot-out, the suspects were found to have sustained gunshot wounds and were treated at the scene before being taken to hospital under police guard. Two firearms, a flat screen TV, jewellery and two high-end brand handbags and home appliances were found in the possession of the suspects. A manhunt is underway for one suspect who narrowly escaped arrest. The suspects will appear in court when they are fit to do so,' said Netshiunda. For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter here
IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
Four house robbery suspects wounded in police shoot out in Pinetown
The crime scene in Pinetown were four suspects were injured in a shoot out with police. Four suspects were shot and injured following a fierce shootout with law enforcement in Pinetown on Tuesday. The incident unfolded quickly after police responded to reports of a house robbery on Oxford Road in the Paradise Valley area, according to police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda. He said police received a tip-off regarding the ongoing robbery and moved swiftly towards the scene. "As officers approached the targeted residence, they spotted a white VW Polo making a hasty exit and attempted to pull the vehicle over. However, the driver evaded arrest, prompting police to initiate a high-speed pursuit in the direction of Underwood Road," Netshiunda said.
