Prominent radio personality, pastor, and politician Dr Ezrom Mathumbu was gunned down in what police suspect was a targeted assassination on Wednesday evening in Mpumalanga.
Mpumalanga shocked by news of Dr Ezrom Mathumbu’s death
The fatal shooting took place along the R536 Road at Cork Trust, between Mkhuhlu and the Kruger National Park in Bushbuckridge Municipality.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Donald Mdhluli, Mathumbu was driving his bakkie near Mkhuhluwhen unknown gunmen opened fire on his vehicle.
Paramedics declared him dead at the scene, and investigators recovered rifle cartridges, suggesting the attack was carried out with high-powered firearms.
No valuables were stolen, reinforcing suspicions that this was a planned hit rather than a robbery.
“As of now, no suspects have been arrested, and the motive behind this senseless killing remains unknown,” Mdhluli said.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Zeph Mkhwanazi, has deployed a specialised task team to investigate the murder.
“The General has assured the community that the SAPS will spare no effort in ensuring that those responsible for this cowardly act are held accountable,” Mdhluli added.
Mathumbu, a former broadcaster for SABC’s Munghana Lonene FM, had recently transitioned into politics as a member of ActionSA. His murder has sent shockwaves through the province, with community members and colleagues mourning his death.
Mathumbu’s murder follows another targeted attack in Mpumalanga last week.
On Tuesday, 25 February 2025, businessman and political activist Maxwell Mlangeni was ambushed outside Today’s Destiny Logistics in eMalahleni, Witbank.
Unlike Mathumbu, Mlangeni survived the attack and is currently recovering in hospital.
Mlangeni, a Zimbabwean national, is the owner of Today’s Destiny Logistics, a company with municipal and private contracts in Mpumalanga.
Police are currently reviewing security footage and tracking the shooters, but no arrests have been made in either case.
