The gang killings continue

A Wild West-movie-like scenario unfolded when unknown assassins sprayed a hail of bullets on unsuspecting people relaxing outside a popular bar lounge in Muledane last week.

The incident, which had people ducking for cover, left a man dead while three others who were with him escaped unhurt. The incident happened on Wednesday, 13 March, at around 18:00. The deceased man has since been identified as Mr Lufuno “Baba” Mukhesa (34) of Tswinga.

Mukhesa was a well-known and proud member of the Black Mafia Family. He was also the owner of the popular Makhoshi Bar Lounge at Muledane, where he was killed.

Within a short space of time after Wednesday’s attack, the area was swarming with onlookers, making it difficult for traffic to pass. After the shooting, Mukhesa was whisked away by friends to the local hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Mukhesa's murder is believed to be a continuation of the senseless killings that have overwhelmed the Vhembe region. So far, nine people have been killed in such assassinations, but police say the number could be as high as 13. No one has been arrested in any of these cases.

The killings have been condemned from different quarters, with many now pointing a finger at the police, saying they are failing to arrest the perpetrators and have decided to eliminate them one by one. This has been denied by the police. Vhembe police spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi confirmed the shooting but refuted allegations that the police were involved.

“Yes, we can confirm a man was allegedly shot by three men from a Mazda 3 as he was with three other men, including his brother. The man, a businessman, succumbed to his injuries, while the three other men escaped unhurt. We have since opened a murder case and attempted murder cases. The motive for the killings is not known so far,” he said. Dathi added that rumours that the police were involved were far from true. “All the cases are being investigated, and suspects will be arrested, no matter how long it takes. To show our commitment to cracking the cases, they have been handed to the Provincial Organised Crime Unit, which is working around the clock to arrest the suspects,” he said.

Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba called on anyone with information to contact Detective Lt-Col Ndileni Mphaphuli on 082 959 7705 or the crime stop number 086 001 0111 or the nearest police station or the MySAPSApp.

Date:22 March 2024

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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