Family challenges police narrative in Margate shooting tragedy

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) is probing a fatal shooting incident that occurred on January 5 in the Uvongo area of Margate.

The incident involved a shootout with police, resulting in the deaths of 35-year-old Mlondi Zithumane Gasela, owner of Gasela Protection Services, and his 49-year-old bodyguard, Mlungisi Gambushe.

According to a police statement issued on the day of the incident, law enforcement officers acted on intelligence regarding individuals in possession of unlicensed firearms.

KZN police spokesperson Captain Ntathu Ndlovu stated that when police approached the targeted house and announced their presence, there was no response. 

“The members penetrated the house, and upon entering, the two occupants inside the house fired shots at the police. Police returned fire, and the two suspects were fatally wounded,” Captain Ndlovu said.

However, the Gasela family has vehemently disputed the police’s official version, alleging serious police misconduct.

The family claims police planted firearms at the scene and later attributed them to Mlondi.

Mlondi’s younger brother, Banele Gasela, alleged that neither his brother nor Gambushe shot at the police, stating: “The police attacked them.”

Additionally, Banele further alleged that the police confiscated the CCTV hard drive.

According to Banele, the police arrived at around 01:30 in the wee hours, detailing how they parked 100 metres away, forcefully removed the electric gate, and aggressively knocked.

He said Mlondi’s wife spoke to them, but the officers failed to show any form of identification to prove that they were indeed police.

“They had no warrant of arrest, they did not show their appointment cards or produce a search and seizure warrant,” Banele stated.

He said the police forced their way into the house by breaking down the door. 

He said while the wife spoke to the police, Mlondi had already run to the kids' bedroom with the intention to protect them, as the youngest was almost two years old. However, the children had already hidden as they heard commotion in the house. 

He said when police finally got to his brother, Mlondi asked them what they wanted. Instead, the police responded by opening fire.

“My brother never shot at them,” Banele said.

He further described the behaviour of the police as barbaric, as they went to look for Gambushe, who had already run away and hid in an outside toilet. He said Gambushe guarded the house at night, and he carried a gun. “He had run away and left the gun,” he said. 

Banele described his brother, Mlondi, as a peaceful businessman also involved in construction and owning 15 taxis operating between Port Shepstone and Durban — a business inherited from their father.

Gambushe’s older brother, Zibonele Gambushe, expressed the family’s sadness over his passing, noting that he left behind a wife and two children.

He confirmed that Gambushe was shot at an outside toilet but stated that the family did not know the full details and was waiting for an official update. 

Zibonele said that as a family, they know nothing amiss about Gambushe. “We are planning on opening the case with Ipid on Wednesday,” he said. 

Captain Ndlovu said two AK-47 assault rifles and three pistols were recovered by police and further stated that none of their members were injured during the shootout. 

Ipid spokesperson Phaladi Shuping confirmed: “The investigators have attended the scene and the investigations are ongoing.” 

The police had not responded to questions regarding Banele’s allegations by the time of publication.

nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za