Senior Newcastle Municipality official, bodyguards injured in brazen early-morning shooting
A Newcastle Municipality official and two bodyguards were shot and injured on Monday morning.
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A senior executive at the Newcastle Municipality and two bodyguards were injured in a shooting early on Monday, police and municipal officials confirmed.
The Senior Executive Director for Corporate Services was attacked by unknown suspects while en route to work shortly after departing his residence, according to the KwaZulu-Natal municipality.
The executive and his two assigned bodyguards sustained injuries and were taken to a medical facility, where they are receiving treatment.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) detectives from the Newcastle police station are investigating the matter. At this stage, no motive has been established and no arrests have been made, the municipality said.
The municipality added that it “will not entertain speculation, conjecture, or the politicisation of this criminal act while investigations are underway.”
Newcastle mayor Xolani Dube condemned the attack, saying it struck at the foundations of local governance.
“This is a brazen and deeply disturbing criminal act that strikes not only at an individual, but at the integrity and stability of local governance,” Dube said. He stressed that municipal operations are continuing.
“The municipality remains fully functional, governance is intact, and service delivery will continue without disruption.”
Municipal manager Zamani Mcineka said the administration had confidence in law enforcement agencies to pursue the case. “We have full confidence in law enforcement agencies to investigate this matter thoroughly and apprehend the perpetrators, and ensure they face the full might of the law.”
The municipality said it is providing institutional support to the affected official and appealed to the public, media and social media users to respect the dignity and privacy of the family and colleagues during this period.
Leadership also issued a warning against the circulation of unverified information, speculation or the sharing of sensitive images or footage related to the incident, saying such actions “are irresponsible, undermine ongoing investigations, and may have legal consequences.”