District Municipality Town Planner Shot Dead in Arbor Park as Police Probe Second Attack on Official

Mthokozisi Ndaba, a town planner with the Amajuba District Municipality, was fatally shot on Saturday, 14 February 2026, outside his home in Arbor Park, Newcastle, marking the second attack on a municipal official in just over six weeks.

According to Amajuba SAPS spokesperson Constable Nonjabulo Langa, Newcastle police were alerted to the incident at approximately 08:50am.

“Upon arrival at the crime scene, members found a witness who was able to identify the victim as Mr Mthokozisi Ndaba, who was employed as a town planner at the Amajuba District Municipality,” she said.

Police were told that Ndaba and a friend had just returned from a local shopping centre in Arbor Park when the shooting occurred. According to Langa, the friend ran inside the house while Ndaba remained in his vehicle, at which point gunshots were fired.

“He rushed out of the house, and that is when he noticed Mr Ndaba lying on the ground and bleeding severely. Newcastle SAPS was called to the scene, along with the ambulances,” she said.

Despite the rapid arrival of emergency personnel, Ndaba was declared dead at the scene after sustaining gunshot wounds to the pelvic area.

Law enforcement units responded immediately. The Newcastle tracing team, the K9 unit and the District Rapid Task Team were deployed shortly after the shooting.

Two suspects were later arrested on the N11 near the Dannhauser turnoff, while two additional suspects remain at large.

“A hired white VW Polo with no registration number, which was used by the suspects, was recovered, along with a 9mm firearm with the serial number filed off, and this will be sent to ballistics for further investigation,” Langa confirmed.

Authorities have not yet established a motive, and investigations are continuing.

The killing comes amid growing concern over attacks targeting municipal officials in the region.

On 5 January 2026, Newcastillian News reported that Dr Dumisani Thabethe, senior executive director for co-operative services at Newcastle Municipality, and his two bodyguards were ambushed while travelling from his residence in Kilbarchan to work. All three survived the attack after sustaining injuries and receiving treatment at a local medical facility.

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Following that ambush, law enforcement intensified operations and identified a suspected hitman believed to be linked to the attack as well as other planned killings and cash-in-transit robberies across KwaZulu-Natal.

Acting on intelligence, officers tracked the suspect to Ladysmith and later pursued him into Gauteng, where a confrontation occurred. During an exchange of gunfire, the suspect was fatally wounded before crashing his vehicle. A grey Nissan Magnite and a firearm recovered at the scene were subsequently confirmed to be connected to the ambush.

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Taken together, the incidents have intensified concern over the risks facing public officials in northern KwaZulu-Natal. While law enforcement has made progress in apprehending suspects, authorities continue to investigate whether there are links between the incidents.

As investigations into Ndaba’s death continue, officials face the dual challenge of identifying motive while assessing preventive measures aimed at improving safety for municipal personnel.

Newcastillian News extends condolences to Mthokozisi Ndaba’s family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.

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Do not forget to read, High Court Orders Removal of Amajuba Mayor and Deputy Mayor Amid Financial Irregularities, if you missed it.

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