Fourth Business Owner Murdered in Ratanda
The Ratanda community was rocked by yet another tragedy as the owner of Backdoor Bottle store, Mfanafuthi Paulos Tshabangu, fell victim to a fatal shooting on Monday, March 18.
This marks the fourth murder of a business owner in Ratanda in less than a month, sending shockwaves through the township.
The incident unfolded at Denne Avenue, ext 23 Ratanda, where local police swiftly responded to reports of gunfire.
“According to witnesses, an unidentified African male approached the store under the guise of a customer before indiscriminately opening fire across the counter, fatally striking the owner. Eyewitnesses reported the assailant calmly leaving the scene following the deadly attack,” explained police spokesperson Constable Moss Maluleke.
Inside the store at the time were a 14-year-old boy, identified as the deceased’s son, and a female employee. As chaos erupted, the quick-thinking employee managed to shield the boy from harm by taking cover behind the fridges.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) declared Mfanafuthi Paulos Tshabangu deceased at the scene. The discovery of seven cartridges by authorities further underscored the severity of the situation, prompting an urgent investigation into the motive behind the heinous crime.
At present, the motive behind the shooting remains elusive, leaving both authorities and the community grappling for answers.
In a plea for cooperation, the South African Police Service urges anyone with information regarding recent shooting incidents to come forward and assist in the investigation.
“Those with pertinent details are encouraged to contact the nearest police station or reach out to Detective Commander at 0766924853,” said Maluleke.
The tragic events have left Ratanda in mourning once again, with residents seeking solace and justice in the wake of this senseless act of violence.