MURDER-ACCUSED KILLED

ONE of the two men accused of killing three children at a barber shop in Khayelitsha has been shot dead, just hours after appearing in court.

Athule Mtsha was gunned down three weeks ago in Nkanini, Cape Town. He died alongside another man on Ntlazane Street.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed the fatal shooting.

Twigg reported: “Harare police responded to a shooting complaint on Monday, May 26, 2025, at about 1.15pm in Ntlazane Road, Nkanini.

“Upon arrival at the scene, they found two unknown males with gunshot wounds to their bodies. Both victims were declared dead on the scene by medical personnel.

The motive for the attack is still unknown, and no arrests have been made.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that Mtsha had appeared in the Khayelitsha Regional Court earlier in the day.

He said: “On 26 May 2025, Mtsha appeared at Khayelitsha Regional Court B, and the State was later advised that he was fatally shot on that afternoon of the same day.”

Mtsha and his co-accused, Sithisa Masiko, were arrested shortly after the 8 June 2024 shooting that left three children, aged four, 10, and 12, and a 30-year-old man dead inside a barber shop in Site C.

According to witnesses, unknown gunmen arrived in a white Toyota Quantum, entered the barber shop, and asked patrons about someone allegedly in possession of a firearm.

The suspects then opened fire, killing the children and the adult victim indiscriminately.

The pair was charged with multiple counts of murder, attempted murder, and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Despite the serious charges, both accused were granted bail and were due to return to court on 8 July 2025,  as the trial continues.