African National Congress MP Jackson Mthembu was shot in the face while withdrawing money at an ATM in Witbank at the weekend, Mpumalanga police said.Mthembu was using an Absa ATM on Mandela Street in the Witbank CBD on Sunday when an armed man approached him, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said.
"The suspect came from behind and pointed a firearm at him and instructed him to draw all his money from his account.
"Mr Mthembu turned around and unfortunately a shot went off and hit him in the cheek."
Mohlala said the armed man and three alleged accomplices went to Mthembu's car. Four of Mthembu's friends were waiting in the car. They allegedly robbed Mthembu and his friends of their money and cellphones.
"Mr Mthembu was rushed to the Witbank hospital, where he is in a serious but stable condition," Mohlala said.
A case of armed robbery was opened.
A family member told the Citizen newspaper: "We don't know exactly what happened, but Jackson has indeed been shot, and we are deeply shocked and worried.
"It is not clear how many times he was shot, but he is in hospital as we speak. I think the shooting was politically motivated."
JACKSON MTHEMBU ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL FOLLOWING SHOOTING
The Office of the ANC Chief Whip has learned with shock and outrage of the shooting and robbery of one of its Members of Parliament and chairperson of portfolio committee on environmental affairs, Cde Jackson Mthembu. He is currently receiving medical attention at the Emalahleni private hospital's intensive care unit in Witbank.
Cde Mthembu was accosted by a group of men and shot at close range on the chest last night while withdrawing money from the ATM. Luckily, he was able to drive himself to the close-by hospital, where is under medical supervision. Police are investigating the case of robbery and attempted murder, but no arrest has been made yet.
We are disturbed and infuriated by this mindless and callous act of criminality and implore the police to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that those savage thugs face the full might of the law. We once again call upon all communities to partner with the police to root out criminal elements from our society as part of a collective endeavour to create a crime-free society.
We wish Cde Mthembu a full and speedy recovery, and our thoughts are with him and his family during this time.
Mthembu shot during armed robbery
"The suspect came from behind and pointed a firearm at him and instructed him to draw all his money from his account.
"Mr Mthembu turned around and unfortunately a shot went off and hit him in the cheek."
Mohlala said the armed man and three alleged accomplices went to Mthembu's car. Four of Mthembu's friends were waiting in the car. They allegedly robbed Mthembu and his friends of their money and cellphones.
"Mr Mthembu was rushed to the Witbank hospital, where he is in a serious but stable condition," Mohlala said.
A case of armed robbery was opened.
A family member told the Citizen newspaper: "We don't know exactly what happened, but Jackson has indeed been shot, and we are deeply shocked and worried.
"It is not clear how many times he was shot, but he is in hospital as we speak. I think the shooting was politically motivated."
JACKSON MTHEMBU ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL FOLLOWING SHOOTING
The Office of the ANC Chief Whip has learned with shock and outrage of the shooting and robbery of one of its Members of Parliament and chairperson of portfolio committee on environmental affairs, Cde Jackson Mthembu. He is currently receiving medical attention at the Emalahleni private hospital's intensive care unit in Witbank.
Cde Mthembu was accosted by a group of men and shot at close range on the chest last night while withdrawing money from the ATM. Luckily, he was able to drive himself to the close-by hospital, where is under medical supervision. Police are investigating the case of robbery and attempted murder, but no arrest has been made yet.
We are disturbed and infuriated by this mindless and callous act of criminality and implore the police to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that those savage thugs face the full might of the law. We once again call upon all communities to partner with the police to root out criminal elements from our society as part of a collective endeavour to create a crime-free society.
We wish Cde Mthembu a full and speedy recovery, and our thoughts are with him and his family during this time.
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