A music compiler and presenter at Alex FM, Joshua Mbatha, 32, was fatally shot on Thursday night in Alexandra, northern Johannesburg.
At least five people have been killed and seven injured in shootings in the township in the past two days, said Gauteng premier David Makhura. The victims were shot during robberies in separate incidents and while exiting taxis.
Alex FM station manager Takalane Nemangowe confirmed to TimesLIVE Mbatha was gunned down while walking home from the station.
“He was walking with two colleagues when they were ambushed by robbers who took their cellphones and shoes. After robbing them, the robbers started shooting randomly and Mbatha was hit in the chest,” Nemangowe said.
He said Mbatha was rushed to a local clinic, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Alex FM employee shot dead by gang terrorising Joburg suburb
Image: Supplied
A music compiler and presenter at Alex FM, Joshua Mbatha, 32, was fatally shot on Thursday night in Alexandra, northern Johannesburg.
At least five people have been killed and seven injured in shootings in the township in the past two days, said Gauteng premier David Makhura. The victims were shot during robberies in separate incidents and while exiting taxis.
Alex FM station manager Takalane Nemangowe confirmed to TimesLIVE Mbatha was gunned down while walking home from the station.
“He was walking with two colleagues when they were ambushed by robbers who took their cellphones and shoes. After robbing them, the robbers started shooting randomly and Mbatha was hit in the chest,” Nemangowe said.
He said Mbatha was rushed to a local clinic, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Mbatha had been with Alex FM for seven years.
Isaac Mangena, station chairperson, said DJ Josh, as he was affectionately known, and his colleagues were accosted by three gunmen.
“He succumbed to his injuries at Masakhane clinic around 9pm. We are with his father and other family members.
“Let us keep the family and Josh’s colleagues in our prayers. May his soul rest in peace. A promising career gone too soon.”
Funeral details will be announced after consultation with the family, he said.
Makhura said he was enraged on learning about the Alex shootings, coming so soon after last weekend’s Soweto tavern killings.
“We are deeply disturbed and troubled by the increasing number of senseless killings of innocent residents. Criminals cannot hold our people to ransom in this manner. Violence and violent crime have no place in our society.
“We call on all law enforcement agencies to be hands on deck in finding the perpetrators of these senseless killings [and] on communities to assist the police in their investigations.
“Let us all play our part and assist in making our communities safer.”
TimesLIVE
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