Johannesburg - A sombre mood hangs over the home of Teboho Makhoa as the family comes to terms with the killing of one of their family’s leaders.
The family say they were devastated by his death and were struggling to come to terms with the horrific manner of his death.
This was according to Tshepiso Phiri, a niece of the senior government official who died in hail of 28 bullets fired at his vehicle in Spruitview, Ekhurhuleni, on Friday night.
Gauteng Human Settlements MEC Lebogang Maile and the Ekurhuleni mayor, Mzwandile Masina, visited Makhoa’s grieving family on Monday to pay their respects to them on behalf of the Gauteng government.
Speaking to the media outside the Makhoa home, Maile said: “We want the family to be assured that we are present in their time of mourning and to keep them updated with the progress that the government, together with the police, have made since the unfortunate death of our colleague.
“He will always be remembered as honest and someone who was not involved in illegal dealings,” the MEC said.
Maile said Makhoa might have been targeted because of his role in the department as one of the officials who allocated RDP houses to beneficiaries and removed illegal occupants.
He asked the public to stop the allegations of corruption around his death and to allow the police to investigate and find the killers.
Phiri said the family were disturbed by speculation on social media about her uncle’s death and have asked to be given space to mourn.
"My uncle was a leader in our family and we will remember him for being very humble and kind. He always showed commitment in every aspect of his life, that being family and his job. He leaves behind five children, with the youngest being 15 and the rest young adults who are at university. He will be missed,” she said with tears in her eyes.
Phiri added that no member of their large family had been threatened and they had no reason to fear for their lives.
Masina has called on those with information on the shooting to come forward and speak out.
Police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo confirmed that a murder case was under investigation.
The Star