A man was shot dead in front of his family and friend by two assailants who tried to rob him of almost R15 000.
The attackers killed Tobela Zatu, 49, who was travelling with his wife Siphokazi Ntyapa, 31, work colleague Philani Lungani, and two-eyear-old grandson in East London on Saturday afternoon.
The two men approached them on Gonubie Main Road and demanded Zatu give them R14600 he had withdrawn at Retail Park in Beacon Bay to pay the balance on a car.
Zatu’s killing comes as Police Minister Fikile Mbalula establishes a task team to tackle a suspected syndicate following and robbing people who make large cash withdrawals at the OR Tambo international airport in Johannesburg.
Speaking from her Nompumelelo home yesterday, Ntyapa told the Dispatch her husband was planning a surprise gift for her.
“He called me and said he had the money and I should get ready with my ID.
“He came with the company car from work and we drove off with our grandson and his colleague,” she recalled.
“I did not know the car because I wanted it to be a surprise and I had told him I would accept whatever car he felt was best suited for me.”
After withdrawing the money at Retail Park, they drove towards Gonubie.
“As we approached the second circle a car flicked from the back.
“My husband asked the driver what the car wanted because we had not dropped anything.
“We stopped on the side and I asked them if they knew the people they were stopping for and no one answered. Two guys got out. One of them was limping.
“When they got to our car they said we must not make any noise and ordered us out of the car,” she said.
Zatu then threw the money on the back seat.
“They took out their guns and opened the passenger side where my husband was sitting.
“He threw the money at the back and I hid it in his bag. I opened the door and got out. Soon after that I heard two gunshots.”
The grieving wife said she had tried to stop passing cars.
“The car just made a U-turn and they left.
“I went back to check on my husband and he was bleeding with bullet wounds to his head and body. He died before the police and ambulance arrived,” she said.
Lungani said it was a maroon BMW that flicked its lights.
“I asked Tobela if he knew the car and he said no.”
When he stopped, two “neatly dressed” men approached them.
“They went straight to Tobela’s door and asked for the money,” he said. A struggle then ensued.
“They dragged him outside the car and ordered us to get out. I heard gunshots. I don’t know what happened to the money but the wife said she took it with her.’’
East London police spokeswoman Hazel Mqala confirmed they were investigating a murder case.
“No money was taken. The suspects fled in a maroon BMW.” — bhongoj@tisoblackstar.co.za
Thugs shoot man who made large withdrawal
The attackers killed Tobela Zatu, 49, who was travelling with his wife Siphokazi Ntyapa, 31, work colleague Philani Lungani, and two-eyear-old grandson in East London on Saturday afternoon.
The two men approached them on Gonubie Main Road and demanded Zatu give them R14600 he had withdrawn at Retail Park in Beacon Bay to pay the balance on a car.
Zatu’s killing comes as Police Minister Fikile Mbalula establishes a task team to tackle a suspected syndicate following and robbing people who make large cash withdrawals at the OR Tambo international airport in Johannesburg.
Speaking from her Nompumelelo home yesterday, Ntyapa told the Dispatch her husband was planning a surprise gift for her.
“He called me and said he had the money and I should get ready with my ID.
“He came with the company car from work and we drove off with our grandson and his colleague,” she recalled.
“I did not know the car because I wanted it to be a surprise and I had told him I would accept whatever car he felt was best suited for me.”
After withdrawing the money at Retail Park, they drove towards Gonubie.
“As we approached the second circle a car flicked from the back.
“My husband asked the driver what the car wanted because we had not dropped anything.
“We stopped on the side and I asked them if they knew the people they were stopping for and no one answered. Two guys got out. One of them was limping.
“When they got to our car they said we must not make any noise and ordered us out of the car,” she said.
Zatu then threw the money on the back seat.
“They took out their guns and opened the passenger side where my husband was sitting.
“He threw the money at the back and I hid it in his bag. I opened the door and got out. Soon after that I heard two gunshots.”
The grieving wife said she had tried to stop passing cars.
“The car just made a U-turn and they left.
“I went back to check on my husband and he was bleeding with bullet wounds to his head and body. He died before the police and ambulance arrived,” she said.
Lungani said it was a maroon BMW that flicked its lights.
“I asked Tobela if he knew the car and he said no.”
When he stopped, two “neatly dressed” men approached them.
“They went straight to Tobela’s door and asked for the money,” he said. A struggle then ensued.
“They dragged him outside the car and ordered us to get out. I heard gunshots. I don’t know what happened to the money but the wife said she took it with her.’’
East London police spokeswoman Hazel Mqala confirmed they were investigating a murder case.
“No money was taken. The suspects fled in a maroon BMW.” — bhongoj@tisoblackstar.co.za
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