Sakhumzi Dalinzolo Mareke and accomplices come out second best in gunfire with police

Sakhumzi Dalinzolo Mareke, who claimed to be the chief of Mthatha West, was killed during a shootout with police on Wednesday evening.

Eastern Cape police reported that officers from the National Intervention Unit (NIU), tasked with combating extortion, had earlier stopped Mareke’s car while patrolling in Mandela Park, Mthatha. Upon searching the vehicle, they found firearms, but since the guns were legally licensed, the officers allowed Mareke to go.

Later, the police noticed they were being followed by two vehicles: a Nissan Qashqai and a Toyota Fortuner. Upon arriving at their base, the vehicles stopped behind the police. Three men, including Mareke, exited the cars armed and opened fire on the officers. The police returned fire, killing all three men.

Police spokesperson Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed that Mareke, 42, who was suspected of being involved in several extortion cases in the Mthatha area, was among those killed in the exchange.

During the gunfight, one police officer was injured, leading to an attempted murder case being opened.

In August, at least three schools in Mthatha West were targeted by extortionists demanding protection fees.

On 20 August, AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo visited Laphumikhwezi Primary School in Mandela Park, Mthatha West, after the school had been forced to close for a week due to extortion threats. The extortionists were demanding a portion of the profits the school earned from renting a cellphone tower to a service provider.

During his visit, King Dalindyebo publicly stated that he did not recognise Sakhumzi Mareke as a legitimate traditional leader and accused him of being the mastermind behind the extortion operations in Mthatha West.

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