Mbombela – Onlookers at Riverside Mall in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, were left shocked when the body of a security guard was taken away and a wounded suspect was found hiding on the roof.
The guard was fatally shot at close range with an AK47 in the early hours of Saturday morning (19 April 2025).
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said the guard succumbed to a gunshot wound to the head.
He said police were summoned to the scene and managed to corner the suspect on the roof.
“The suspect is alleged to have fatally shot a security guard during an incident that began around 22:45,” Brigadier Mdhluli said.
“Preliminary investigations have established that security officers observed three suspicious males loitering near the Riverside Mall.
“When one of the guards approached the individuals for questioning, an altercation ensued, resulting in the guard being shot in the head by one of the suspects.”
Brigadier Mdhluli added: “The suspect was located and sniffed out of his hiding place, on Mall’s roof in the early hours of today, (Saturday 19 April 2025).
“During his arrest, Police confiscated an AK-47 rifle from his possession, which is now undergoing ballistic testing to determine if it has been previously used in the commission of a crime elsewhere.”
He said the 35-year-old suspect, identified as a Mozambican, was in the hospital under police guard.
The two others, who were with the arrested alleged shooter during the incident, were still at large and were being sought by the police.
“Some ammunition as well as cartridges were also recovered at the scene, and all these items were seized to form part of the investigation by the police,” Brigadier Mdhluli said.
“He (the arrested suspect) faces charges of murder, attempted murder, and possession of an illegal firearm with ammunition.
“Additional charges were likely to be laid against the suspect as the investigation progresses.”
Brigadier Mdhluli said the high-calibre firearm would be sent for ballistics testing.
He said the police would also check the immigration status of the suspect with the Department of Home Affairs.
