A lead police investigator of the Mdlalose Tavern mass shooting in Soweto was gunned down earlier this year in what appears to be a hit that preceded the collapse of the case against the six accused.
This emerged yesterday as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) withdrew charges against all six men arrested in connection with the killings of 16 people at the tavern in Nomzamo in Orlando East, Soweto.
Several patrons were also injured.
Det-Sgt Gavin Ndlovu was shot dead outside his neighbour’s home in Protea Glen Ext 35, Soweto, in March.
According to a police report which Sowetan has seen, Ndlovu was gunned down by a person known to him while his daughter and neighbour were injured.
The report states that on March 12, at about 9.10pm, Ndlovu was driving a state vehicle – a white VW Polo – with his daughter in the front seat and his neighbour in the back.
They were coming from Park Station in Johannesburg when Ndlovu stopped at his neighbour’s gate to drop them off.
“The member [Ndlovu] was sitting with his daughter in [the] front seat. When they were busy talking, a white Polo emerged from behind and parked next to the state car. The member called the driver of the Polo by name and asked him what he was doing in his area.
“The driver of the white Polo opened the window and started shooting at the member several times. The white Polo with unknown registration plates drove away,” read the report.
Ndlovu, who was stationed in the provincial office in Parktown, Johannesburg, died at the scene. His daughter was shot in the stomach and left hand while the neighbour was shot in the lower body.
“The suspect is unknown at this stage,” the report concluded.
Provincial police spokesperson Lt-Col Mavela Masondo said he could not get an update on the case yesterday, saying he would get the information only today.
Ndlovu cracked the murders of six people at Jabulani Hostel in Soweto in June 2020. Sipho Mabasa got six life terms and additional years for other charges in August last year.
NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane acknowledged Ndlovu for his dedication.
Yesterday, the NPA said it had withdrawn charges against the accused in the Mdlalose Tavern shooting following a thorough analysis of the contents of the dockets.
“The NPA concluded that there are no prospects of a successful prosecution, as requests for further investigation were not complied with due to witnesses fearing for their lives or witnesses subsequently losing their lives,” said Mjonondwane.
Two men who survived the shooting told Sowetan they were angry, disappointed and concerned about their safety. They asked not to be named.
“This is indicative that the case died with Ndlovu. Since his death, no one has been giving me updates or contacting me to ask for any minor details... which he always did.
“I knew when I got a phone call from a police officer who informed me that Ndlovu had died that the case would not go anywhere. Our lives have changed so much since the shooting and for the people who did it, it’s business as usual,” said the man.
Another survivor said he had so many questions.
“Why did the police arrest them in the first place? What evidence did they have then that cannot stand now?
“Children have lost their fathers and wives have lost their husbands and you are telling me that no one will be held accountable? Sixteen people died, not flies,” said the survivor.
“I will now live in fear, looking over my shoulder wondering whether they would be coming for me. We know some of the accused, they are from our community, how are we expected to live side-by-side with them?
“When communities take matters into their own hands, we blame them. This is just going to lead to vengeance killings. Those who lost their loved ones will not take this lightly.”
Just a day after the mass shooting in July, police minister Bheki Cele visited the area, saying they have identified five suspects.
Cele’s spokesperson Lirandzu Themba said she could not respond to Sowetan’s questions regarding the withdrawal of the charges, despite the minister saying they had identified suspects, as Cele was attending meetings.
She referred Sowetan to Gauteng police.
Masondo did not respond to requests for comment on the withdrawal of the charges.
On July 12, MEC for community safety Faith Mazibuko said they had obtained CCTV footage to strengthen their case.
sibiyan@sowetan.co.za
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