Johannesburg – Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Pravin Gordhan is shocked by the murder of his bodyguard, and has expressed condolences to his family.“He was a diligent officer who was very disciplined and a hardworking member of the police service,” said Gordhan after Constable Sello Machete was shot dead in Stinkwater, Themba on Friday.
Machete, 36, was visiting his girlfriend and the two were sitting in the car when two men confronted them.
They shot Machete in his upper body and he died on the scene, according to police spokesperson Mack Mngomezulu.
The attackers also stole Machete’s service pistol, pulled his girlfriend out of the car and stole the vehicle too.
She is in hospital in a serious, but stable condition, said Mngomezulu.
Police were still hunting for the men, who will face a case of murder, attempted murder, hijacking and robbery of a firearm when they are apprehended.
The vehicle was found abandoned a few kilometres away.
Mngomezulu said police think the motive for the attack was to steal the constable’s gun.
A statement from Gordhan’s office said the minister had been with him a few hours before the tragedy and urged that the perpetrators to be brought to book.
“Minister Gordhan sends his condolences to the family of Sello Machete as well as to the COGTA family as people who worked with him until his untimely death. May his soul rest in peace.”
PH
