WILLEM PHUNGULA
DURBAN - Ndwedwe police station commander Lieutenant Jabulani Ndawonde has been shot dead.
He was murdered at the Bhamshela taxi rank near KwaMaphumulo at about 7pm on Monday.
Details surrounding his death are sketchy but provincial spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele has confirmed Ndawonde's killing.
"Yes, it's true. He was shot and killed around 7 last night but the motive of the killing is not known," said Mbele.
A source, who was on the scene, said he had no idea what Ndawonde was doing in the area.
Ndwedwe mayor Vincent Chili, who also went to the scene, said the station commander could have been on his way home. He lived in the Appelsbosch area which was not far from where he was killed.
Chili said the murder looked like it was drive-by shooting because Ndawonde died inside the police van.
"We are disturbed by this killing and we hope police will find the killers soon," said Chili.
Ndawonde headed Nsuze police station, which is a few kilometres from where he was shot. He had moved to Ndwedwe police station to replace the retired station commander there.
His murder follows the killing of five young men who were shot dead in the same area.
The men were believed to be involved in drugs.
Sources in Bhamshela told the Daily News that Ndawonde’s killing might be linked to the drug war in the area.
The source said some community members accused Ndawonde of knowing about the killing of the five people.
Police are expected to release more details about his murder later on Tuesday.
Daily News