When Gift Malapane drove past a shooting scene along Klipspruit Valley Road in Soweto on Sunday evening, little did he know that the driver who lay dead in the bullet-riddled red Ferrari was his childhood friend Muzi Nzama.
Nzama, a business person and husband of one of SA’s prominent entrepreneurs, Thandeka Nombanjinji-Nzama, was ambushed and killed with his 21-year-old female passenger Gugulethu Khubeka from Duduza, on the East Rand.
Police said witnesses had revealed that a Toyota Etios with an unconfirmed number of occupants blocked the Ferrari’s way, and its occupants opened fire before speeding off.
Malapane said he had last spoken to Nzama from Mapetla, in the township, two weeks ago when his friend called to congratulate him on being a councillor candidate in Mapetla for the upcoming local government elections.
“He was very happy and promised to see me this week, not knowing he would be dead. I’m now only left with a vivid memory of his crime scene because I passed in that area late that night.
“I saw the Ferrari but I just thought it was just another drunken driving accident as usual. Police had barricaded the scene.”
He said he found out about Nzama’s death on social media the next day and it hit him that he had driven past the crime scene the previous night.
Malapane said his friend had played a huge role in his life and had encouraged him to be his own boss.
This led him to get into the ride-hailing business and when he drove past the scene, he was on his way to drop off a passenger that night.
Nzama was MD of Nzama Consulting based in Krugersdorp, on the West Rand. The company was founded by Nzama and Nombanjinji-Nzama in 2015.
According to the company’s website, it provides services in the sectors of transport, mining and property. The website further elaborates that some of the other services it provides include plant hire, integrated communication technology, logistics, security services – guarding and armed response – and VIP protection.
Nombanjinji-Nzama is an award-winning business person and founder of Mbokodo Building, which is based in Sandton, Johannesburg. She established her name in construction.
She does business with government and private companies. Nombanjinji-Nzama is also the CEO of Nombanjinji Family Property, a commercial property and property development group with a portfolio in retail, office and residential rental apartment properties.
Five days ago, Nombanjinji-Nzama took to Instagram where she posted a picture of her, Nzama and their three children on holiday.
“Much needed long weekend downtime with my hearts,” she wrote.
Nzama was on the cusp of an international construction deal with his business partner Pheladi Mnguni.
“I am very disturbed. We had very big plans together. We had just made an international connection in construction and I don't know how I should go on without him,” said Mnguni.
Mnguni said Nzama helped him financially and invested in his dreams.
“I pray that his killers are found. We have lost a leader, a solution maker, a fashionable but very hardworking entrepreneur.”
Nzama’s brother Kenny Nzama said the family was going through a difficult period and that they were still processing what happened.
A group of churchgoers came to offer their condolences at Khubeka’s home.
Her mother said she would not speak about her daughter’s death because she did not have any details about the shooting.
Nzama was a qualified electrical engineer and began his career at Russell Marais Engineering Firm as a technician and later moved to MST Engineers.
He also worked at the SABC as a logistics and transport manager after which he founded Smachouse Couriers in 2008. Nzama then ventured into other industries, including property investing, mining and plant hire.
Malapane said he met Nzama in high school in Mapetla.
“He then went to Wits University and told us that he was gonna be one of the richest men from our township, and it happened.”
He recalled how in 2008 Nzama told him and a group of friends that he would not die before driving a Ferrari.
“Earlier this year his dream came true. He came in a red Ferrari. My wife and I recalled the vow he had made. He lived the life he had always wanted.
“To his children [and] family, who I know he loved dearly, I want to say we also lost a father and we feel your pain. Your father was an amazing hustler who made sure he pushed tirelessly to have the success he had.”
Memorial services for the duo will be held separately in Soweto and Duduza on Thursday.
Nzama will be buried on Friday while Khubeka will be buried at the weekend.
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