Durban – Durban crime-fighter Mandla Nhlozi, 35, who was employed by the eThekwini Municipality in the Safer Cities Department was stabbed to death on the M13 near Westville in a suspected botched hijacking on Wednesday, police said on Thursday.
It is believed that Nhlozi may have tried to fight back when he was attacked.
His best friend and colleague, Mxo Shange, said Nhlozi was found lying on the road next to his car.
The police told Shange that Nhlozi might have been attacked by a stranger whom he was giving a lift, or he might have stopped to answer his phone when he was attacked.
Nhlozi’s wallet, clothes and cellphone were stolen.
Nhlozi’s voice was well known in Durban’s townships for his work with KwaMashu’s Vibe FM.
His mother, Geraldina Mthembu, was inconsolable.
“When I was brought to the scene, I thought I was going to see my son alive, in an ambulance or alive in hospital,” she said.
“But when I got there and when I saw the police cars, I realised he was gone.”
Kloof ward councillor Rick Crouch said he was shocked by Nhlozi’s death.
“Many residents in the Upper Highway area have interacted with Mandla during his anti-crime activities,” he said.
Crouch described Nhlozi as a hardworking and dedicated crime-fighter devoted to “making his assigned area of responsibility, the Upper Highway, a safer place for all.
“He was a fixture at community policing forum and other community meetings. I was devastated when I received the phone call.
“I worked with Mandla on a daily basis and he was always available to serve the public, day or night. Mandla and the hard work he did in the Upper Highway will be missed,” said Crouch.
Police spokesman Thulani Zwane confirmed the killing.
No arrests have been made.’
The Mercury
