Two arrested for Pietermaritzburg tavern shooting

Police reports suggest that the occupants of a VW Polo hatchback with Pietermaritzburg registration plates were seen on CCTV cameras jumping out of the vehicle, entering the tavern and immediately starting to shoot. Picture: Se-Anne Rall

Police reports suggest that the occupants of a VW Polo hatchback with Pietermaritzburg registration plates were seen on CCTV cameras jumping out of the vehicle, entering the tavern and immediately starting to shoot. Picture: Se-Anne Rall

Published Jul 11, 2022

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Durban — KwaZulu-Natal’s police commissioner has confirmed that two people were arrested for the shooting at the Sweetwaters tavern in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday night.

Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison acting MEC Jomo Sibiya and local leadership were in Pietermaritzburg following the shooting.

Speaking to eNCA, Mkhwanazi said that during their investigation they brought in people for questioning, which led to arrests and the confiscation of exhibits.

“The two that we got through the investigation are involved in this case,” Mkhwanazi said.

Mkhwanazi, Sibiya and local leadership met at Plessislaer SAPS for a briefing and then proceeded to the tavern.

On Saturday night, two armed men entered a liquor establishment and opened fire on patrons.

Two people died at the scene and two others died in the hospital while eight others sustained gunshot wounds.

Police reports suggest that the occupants of a VW Polo hatchback with Pietermaritzburg registration plates were seen on CCTV cameras jumping out of the vehicle, entering the Sweetwaters tavern and opening fire immediately. Soon afterwards they got back into their vehicle and drove off.

Six bullet heads, one live round and 16 cartridges, all from a 9mm pistol, were discovered on the scene and form part of the police investigation.

It is alleged that the deceased have been identified as Nkosingiphile Nsele and Mdumiseni Ngidi, who died at the scene, and Simphiwe Mthembu and Nkosinathi Mdladla, who died in hospital.

A media query was sent to police for confirmation of the names.

Daily News