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Popular KwaMashu sangoma arrested as alleged mastermind behind 2020 triple murder

By Mapaballo Borotho

Senior political figure arrested over alleged R233 000 fraud scheme
Image: Adobe Stock
  • A traditional healer from KwaMashu has been arrested in connection with the 2020 murders of an ANC Youth League member and two eThekwini Metro Police officers.
  • Police allege he orchestrated the killings after believing one of the officers was involved in a relationship with his wife.
  • The suspect is expected to appear in the Hammarsdale Magistrate’s Court on Monday, while five co-accused remain before the courts.

A traditional healer from KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, has been arrested for allegedly orchestrating the 2020 murders of African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) member Thamsanqa Kingdom Gcabashe and eThekwini Metro Police officers Lindokuhle Madonsela and Ndumiso Thusi.

The suspect was arrested on Friday, 24 July 2026, by the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).

The case dates back to 2020, when Gcabashe was shot and killed outside his home in Section G, Mpumalanga Township, KwaZulu-Natal.

Investigators later established that Gcabashe was allegedly not the intended target and was mistakenly killed after the alleged hitmen identified him as Metro Police officer Lindokuhle Madonsela.

Fourteen days later, on 9 June 2020, Metro Police officers Madonsela and Thusi were ambushed while reporting for duty.

Officer Thusi had arrived to collect Madonsela when gunmen opened fire on their vehicle, killing both officers at the scene.

National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said investigators believe the traditional healer arranged the killings after allegedly believing Madonsela was involved in an intimate relationship with his wife.

“The KZN Political Killings Task Team has since identified, linked, arrested and charged five individuals in connection with the murders.

They are Fana Shabalala, Zamokuhle Nyandu, Mthokozisi Ntando Blose, Holy Shozi and Sandile Msezane. The accused face charges relating to murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Investigations revealed that they were allegedly recruited and paid to carry out the killings. Ballistic evidence conclusively linked the two murder scenes, providing investigators with critical forensic evidence that connected the offences,” said Mathe.

The alleged mastermind is expected to make his first appearance in the Hammarsdale Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 27 July 2026.

Meanwhile, the case against the five previously arrested accused has been postponed for pre-trial proceedings in the Durban High Court.

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