General manager of Rio Tinto s Richards Bay Minerals shot dead in KZN
News24
24 May 2021, 21:42 GMT+10
Rio Tinto s Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) in KwaZulu-Natal has confirmed that its general manager for operational services, Nico Swart, was shot dead on Monday morning.
While the RBM operation has seen incidents of violence in recent years, with the shooting of an employee halting operations in December 2019, this latest incident remains under investigation by police.
In a statement, RBM said Swart sustained injuries after a shooting incident while he was travelling to work and that police are investigating.
READ | The circumstances around the shooting are unknown at this stage and the incident is being investigated by the South African Police Services [SAPS]. The company is cooperating fully with the SAPS to support its investigation into this very serious matter, the statement said.
Richards Bay Minerals Murder: GM killed in hail of bullets
The Richards Bay Minerals manager was shot and killed when gunmen fired more than 20 bullets into his vehicle during rush hour traffic.
Richards Bay Minerals general manager Nico Swart was shot and killed in a drive by shooting early on Monday Morning.
SAPS regional spokesperson, Thembeka Mbele said Swart was shot while on his way to work in Meerensee in Richards Bay.
“It is alleged that at about 6:45 this morning, the deceased was shot while driving in his car on his way to work at the corner of Dune and Kolstert Road by three unknown men who were on foot,” Mbele said.
Richards Bay Minerals executive gunned down on way to work Updated
Karabo Tebele
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The general manager of Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) was gunned down while on his way to work early on Monday morning.
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Three suspects are being sought in connection with the murder of Nico Swart (47).
We can confirm the shooting incident in Meerensee in Richards Bay. It is alleged that at about 6:45 this morning, the deceased was shot while driving in his car on his way to work at corner of Dune and Kolstert Road by three unknown men who were on foot.
Richards Bay mining boss killed in ambush Updated
Nothando Mkhize
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Nico Swart was ambushed in Meerensee on Monday morning.
KZN SAPS spokesperson Thembeka Mbele said: It is alleged that today [Monday] at about 6:45, the deceased was shot while driving in his car on his way to work at the corner of Dune and Kolstert Road by three unknown men who were on foot. He was declared dead at the scene and the motive of the killing is unknown at the moment.
RBM, which is owned by Rio Tinto, says Swart joined the company in 2006 and has served in various leadership positions.