Stellenbosch police have launched a manhunt for those responsible for the slaying of former Stellenbosch deputy mayor, Nyaniso Jindela, in Khayamandi.
News of the brutal incident was shared by Stellenbosch Municipality in a statement late on Monday evening (9 June), and follows just over a month after the killing of DA councillor Xolile Kalipa in the same community on the evening of Sunday 14 May. The two incidents seem to be similar in occurrence.
Captain Nathalie Martin, spokesperson for Stellenbosch police, confirmed police were called to the scene in Vineyard Street, Khayamandi at 20:00 Monday evening. “When the officers arrived on the scene, they were pointed to the body of an unknown man, laying between a Toyota Avanza and a fence,” she explains.
“A backpack, keys and cellphone was laying next to the body. Paramedics arrived and declared the man deceased. It was discovered that he has been fatally shot.”
Martin said family members of the deceased were on the scene and identified the body as that of the former deputy mayor, Jindela. “No arrests have been made and a case of murder is under investigation.”
Just over a month ago, the Khayamandi and the greater Stellenbosch community were shocked by the murder of Kalipa in Swart Close at 21:26 on Sunday 4 May. Similarly, Kalipa’s lifeless body was discovered lying between two vehicles. He had been shot multiple times.
In the statement issued by Stellenbosch Municipality this week, it expressed “great shock and sadness” at the news of the fatal shooting of Jindela. “Mr Jindela was a former councillor who served the community with distinction, including in the role of deputy mayor,” the statement read.
“The incident is currently under investigation by the South African Police Service and the municipality will fully support [the police] by providing any information they may require. We extend our deepest condolences to Mr Jindela’s family and loved ones during this horrific time.”
Jindela served as deputy mayor under former executive mayor Gesie van Deventer. In mid-2021, Jindela, his wife, Unathi, and three others, were arrested for the murder of Cameron Mcako, another former deputy mayor of Stellenbosch.
Mcako was gunned down outside his tavern, Happy Rest Tavern, on 1 November 2019. He died in hospital two days later.
Martin could not provide any further information on the most recent incident as the murder investigation is underway.
