KZN mine executive killed in ambush 24 May 2021 - 13:18 Nico Swart, Richards Bay Minerals general manager of operational services, was shot and killed on Monday morning. Image: Supplied
A Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) executive was shot and killed by three men on foot while on his way to work in Richards Bay on Monday morning.
Nico Swart, 47, general manager of operational services, died as a result of injuries suffered during the incident.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Capt Nqobile Gwala told SowetanLIVE s sister publication TimesLIVE: “We can confirm the shooting in Meerensee, Richards Bay.
“It is alleged that at about 6.45 this morning, the deceased was shot while driving his car to work. He was shot at the corner of Dune and Kolstert roads by three unknown men who were on foot. He died at the scene.”
Swart was reportedly shot dead while driving to work shortly before 7am, according to a local newspaper, the
Zululand Observer. It reported police had confirmed the incident and that more than 20 high-calibre bullets had been fired into his vehicle. The attack has all the hallmarks of a planned hit. Read here.
Rio Tinto did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but
MiningMX, a news site focused on the industry, quoted the company as saying: “The circumstances of the shooting are unknown at this stage and the incident is being investigated by the South African Police Services (SAPS).”
RBM mostly produces titanium dioxide slag, used in the production of a range of industrial items from paint to toothpaste. Rio Tinto halted work on a $463-million project at RMB in 2019 because of community protests. The company told Bloomberg in April it did not know when work would resume because of security issues. Read here.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni has called on police to “scour every corner in the province and strain every nerve” in finding the assailants involved in the alleged assassination of Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) top manager.
SAPS spokesperson Thandeka Mbele said three unknown gunmen who were on foot had shot and killed Swart while he was in his car driving to work. She said the motive for the murder was unknown at this stage and police were investigating.
The KZN Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison said in a statement on Monday that Premier Sihle Zikalala earlier had to intervene to resolve escalating violence in the communities surrounding RBM. The department said that community grievances in the region had stemmed from two possible issues, one being the community wanting the chieftaincy in the KwaMbonambi area to be finalised following the installation of an administrator, as well as allegations regarding t
KZN govt authorities call for swift arrest of slain RMB GM Nico Swart s killers ewn.co.za - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ewn.co.za Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.