Eyewitnesses to the shooting and murder of Petros Sidney Mabuza have shared the sheer terror they felt watching a hail of bullets hit Mabuza's vehicle while they were standing a few metres away.
Mabuza, also known to many as “Mr Big” and “Mshengu”, was shot in Hazyview on Thursday afternoon and died from his wounds after being rushed to Kiaat Private Hospital in Mbombela.
An eyewitness to the murder, who asked not to be named for fear of his safety, said he was standing at the entrance to the Engen Garage in Hazyview when he saw a car pull up to Mabuza’s bakkie.
“He parked there almost everyday. People knew his car and knew he stopped there,” said the eyewitness.
“I saw this car pull up and two men got out and started shooting. There were so many gunshots. I was so scared.
“Then the shooters opened the door and it looked like they were searching for something. They pulled something out the car and then just sped off.
“I was so shocked. I am still in shock. It happened when it was broad daylight and it is a very busy area”.
An employee of a nearby business said she also heard the gunshots.
“It was bad, we just heard all these gunshots. Where are you safe anymore?”
Mabuza was a well-known businessman who gained notoriety when he was charged in two separate rhino horn cases in 2018. Both these cases were still before the High Court at the time of his death.
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