A suspected hitman, believed to be linked to multiple cash-in-transit robberies and a series of planned killings across KwaZulu-Natal, was killed in a shootout with police in Gauteng during the early hours of Wednesday, 7 January 2026.
Authorities believe he may also have been involved in the recent assassination attempt on Newcastle Municipality’s senior executive director for co-operative services, Dr Dumisani Thabethe.
The suspect came under the focus of law enforcement following an ambush on Monday, 5 January 2026, which left Dr Thabethe and his two bodyguards injured. The attack triggered a coordinated operation involving police and private security structures to trace those responsible.
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Acting on intelligence, officers tracked the suspect to Ladysmith. However, before an arrest could be effected, he allegedly fled the area, entering the freeway and travelling towards Gauteng.
What followed was a pursuit that crossed provincial boundaries.
During the chase, the suspect is reported to have attempted to evade police by slowing down before accelerating again, prompting an exchange of gunfire with pursuing officers.
Following which, he was fatally wounded during the confrontation before crashing his vehicle.
A grey Nissan Magnite and a firearm were recovered at the scene. Both are believed to have been used in the attack on Dr Thabethe and his bodyguards. KwaZulu-Natal Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo confirmed that three additional suspects remain at large and that investigations are continuing.
The January ambush followed an earlier shooting incident in June 2025, during which Dr Thabethe was targeted while driving home from work.
As reported by Newcastillian News at the time, preliminary reports indicated that on Thursday evening, 18 June 2025, the vehicle in which he was travelling came under fire. Although Dr Thabethe survived the attack, the incident highlighted the growing threats facing the municipal official.
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The most recent attack unfolded on Monday, 5 January 2026, when Dr Thabethe and his bodyguards were ambushed while travelling from his residence in Kilbarchan to work.
The Amajuba District SAPS confirmed that four armed men opened fire on their vehicle shortly after it departed. While the bodyguards managed to return fire, all three occupants sustained injuries.
With three suspects still at large, law enforcement agencies have intensified efforts to dismantle what investigators believe may be a coordinated criminal network operating across provincial lines. While the death of the suspected hitman has removed one key figure from the investigation, authorities have cautioned that the broader inquiry is far from concluded, with intelligence teams continuing to trace links between the attacks and organised criminal activity in KwaZulu-Natal.
For the Newcastle Municipality, the repeated attempts on the life of a senior official have underscored the risks faced by those in public office. As police work to locate the remaining suspects and establish a clear motive, attention has also turned to the security of municipal leadership amid heightened concerns.
NB: Newcastillian News has requested further information from KwaZulu-Natal Provincial SAPS; however, police were unable to comment at the time of publication.
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