Jongikhaya Mapeyi News Today

The Eastern Cape business sector suffered a further blow after another young businessman in the King Sabata Dalindyebo municipal area was gunned down in cold blood.

A prominent Eastern Cape family’s joy turned to tragedy after its head was gunned down just hours after celebrating his daughter’s wedding. Mkhululi “Skoni” Kubukeli, 60, was shot and killed in the early hours of Saturday on the premises of his latest business venture, the Le Pearl Grande Event and Entertainment Centre, alongside the R61 near Corhana village, about 5km outside Mthatha.

Spooked by a spike in crime, including a spate of people being killed by unknown gunmen in recent weeks, local authorities and law enforcement agencies in Mthatha have joined hands to reclaim the town from criminals and thugs.

King Sabata Dalindyebo municipal bosses and organised business have expressed concern at the escalating crime in Mthatha. This follows the fatal shooting recently of at least five people in two separate attacks by gunmen. The latest incident, which has rocked Mthatha citizens, took place on Sunday when three taxi operators, Jongikhaya Mapeyi and Luyolo Mvamve, both from Corhana, and Mziwakhe Mbuti Makhabane of Ntilini in Sibangweni, were shot and killed.

Five Eastern Cape taxi operators were gunned down — at least three of them by an AK-47-wielding assassin — in two separate attacks on Sunday. The shootings, which happened in broad daylight, have left the surrounding communities shocked by their brutality. Three of the taximen were killed minutes after sharing a birthday lunch celebration at Nando’s in Mthatha’s Savoy Park.