The family of slain Mbombela municipality speaker Jimmy Mohlala marked 12 years of his killing yesterday by lamenting what they described as the failed state of justice in SA.
Mohlala was shot dead by unknown men on January 4, 2009, at his home at KaNyamazane township in Mbombela, Mpumalanga. His son Tshepo who was 19-years-old at the time was shot in the leg during the attack.
Mohlala’s daughter, Tshidi, told Sowetan that the family had lost faith in the justice system because the people who killed her father were still roaming the streets.
Mohlala, who was a whistleblower in the corruption involving the building of the R1.2bn stadium for the 2010 World Cup in Mbombela, was killed days before he was to make affidavits to the police.
“We need closure, and if other stakeholders may assist us in re-investigating the murder case of my father, we would welcome that. It's so painful to know that it is 12 years already since he was killed and that those who did it are walking freely in the streets," said Tshidi.
"I strongly feel in SA there is no justice and it's very much painful. I sometimes wish the month of January can be skipped because it just brings back sad memories."
Five people, including two police officers, were initially arrested, along a 52-year-old woman who was a cleaner at the Rob Ferreira hospital, in connection of Mohlala's murder. One of the police officers, Dumisani Stanley Mhlanga, died before the case against his co-accused, Constable Finish Mkhabela, Rob Ferreira Hospital cleaner Jenny Mabika, her son Sakhile and Moses Mahungela, was thrown out of court for lack of evidence.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli said Mohlala's case was being handled by the Hawks. However Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi did not answer her phone or answer questions sent to her via text.
