Johnathan Paoli
THE ward councilor and ANC Joburg Chief Whip Sithembiso Zungu was shot at while his bodyguard together with an executive from Rand Water were killed at an event in Zakariyya Park Community Hall, south of Joburg.
The shootings have shocked authorities and officials from the Gauteng Department of Education especially because the two people were killed while giving out shoes to more than 75 learners from the area.
GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona said approximately 75 learners from Lehae Primary, Olifantsvlei Primary, Moses Marne Missions Technical and Elethu Themba Public School were in attendance at the event.
Mabona said unknown gunmen opened fire on the gathering, shooting 3 people at the event, including Zungu.
However, two people have been declared dead, namely one of Zungu’s bodyguards as well as a Rand Water executive, however no learner or staff were injured during the incident, despite having witnessed it unfold.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said that psycho-social support to all affected schools have been dispatched in order to provide the necessary trauma counseling for those who required it.
“We convey our condolences to families of the deceased and wish the ward councilor a speedy recovery,” Chiloane said.
Some claim that the attack was triggered by enemies that they alleged were created by Zungu following a video trending of him last year hijacking a Department of Basic Education event.
Zungu has been the city council’s chief whip since his election during the city’s 11th extraordinary council meeting, defeating both the DA and ActionSA.
Jozi council speaker Margaret Arnolds said that Zungu was on official council business when the shooting occurred, however the motive behind the shooting remains unknown at this point.
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