Police investigate shooting of civil engineer Sbonelo Mkhwanazi in Westville

Police have launched a full-scale investigation following the brazen daylight killing of Sbonelo Mkhwanazi, a 36-year-old civil engineer and tenderpreneur at a busy Westville intersection earlier this week.

Reports indicate that Mkhwanazi was originally from Ulundi but owned a house in Westville, where he lived with his wife. A close friend, who is mourning alongside Mkhwanazi's family, revealed that his funeral will take place at his family's home in Ulundi.

According to SAPS communications officer Sergeant Khathi, Mkhwanazi was driving his grey Porsche after leaving a nearby shopping centre and was driving his grey Porche when he stopped at a traffic light and a white Toyota Land Cruiser pulled up.

“A white Toyota Land Cruiser appeared, and two black males exited the vehicle and opened fire. At the scene, 23 AK‑47 cartridges were found,” Khathi stated.

Mkhwanazi was shot on Tuesday, and the police have confirmed that a murder docket has since been opened, however no suspects have yet been identified.

Investigators are appealing to members of the public for assistance as they work to establish the motive behind the attack. Authorities are reviewing available evidence and have urged anyone with information to make contact with the police.

ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson stated that emergency teams received numerous calls reporting the shooting.

“Paramedics arrived on the scene and found members of the South African Police Service already in attendance. They were shown a vehicle that had been shot multiple times,” he said.

The Westville Community Policing Forum (CPF) in a statement expressed “deep concern” over the incident, describing it as a shocking act of violence in a busy, central area. In a statement, the CPF extended condolences to Mkhwanazi’s family and urged residents and businesses to review CCTV footage and report any suspicious activity.

“The man, believed to be in his 30s, sustained fatal injuries, and unfortunately, there was nothing paramedics could do for him,” Jamieson added.

Meanwhile, Mkhwanazi’s family has requested privacy during their time of grief, and relatives have declined to speak to the media, asking for space to mourn in peace.

The CPF has urged residents to remain vigilant, stating that they continue to work closely with SAPS, security partners, and the community to enhance safety and address violent crime in the area.

The investigations are ongoing.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE