Cape Town – A Zimbabwean national, Emmanuel Mahamba, was tragically killed in what appears to have been a brutal altercation involving the father of his former girlfriend’s child.
The incident occurred last week on Rivonia Road in Sandton, Johannesburg.
The suspect is still at large.
Police say the events that led to Mahamba’s death appear to stem from a complex love triangle. Emmanuel had briefly dated Ntombi, who was also involved with a Ugandan man.
GRAPHIC CONTENT: This video might disturb sensitive viewers
Please assist, SAPS is looking for this bakkie, this incident happened in Rivonia road JHB last week the guy was run over and killed, the bakkie driver is still at large.😨
NB: Not for sensitive viewers pic.twitter.com/a9XnIAO6Xa
— Lady_L_ (@Lee_Raa_Tuu) April 15, 2025
According to Ntombi, she ended her relationship with Emmanuel due to safety concerns and mounting pressure from her Ugandan partner.
“I agree that I once dated Emmanuel in January, and we broke up in February.
“We broke up because some Ugandans recorded a video of me when I was with Emmanuel. My baby daddy is a Ugandan. So I broke up with Emmanuel for my safety, for my kids, and also for the sake of Emmanuel,” she said, according to IOL.
On the day of the incident, tensions reportedly escalated outside Ntombi’s workplace, where Emmanuel confronted her and her current partner.
The confrontation quickly turned violent and ended in a horrific attack.
A now-viral social media video shows a bakkie driving over a man — believed to be Emmanuel — twice, in the middle of the road.
“For now I am giving the family legal support. At the same time, we were encouraging the Zimbabwean community in Joburg to raise funeral money through contributions. The funeral contributions are coming from the Zimbabwean community,” said Joburg-based activist Moreboys Munetsi.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is appealing for public assistance in locating the suspect and the bakkie, which has since been impounded for forensic analysis.
In a interview with eNCA, the investigative officer said: “We brought the individual in for questioning, but unfortunately, they weren’t the suspect we were looking for. We’ve since impounded the vehicle as part of the evidence and it’s currently being stored. We’re continuing to investigate based on witness statements and are following up on lead.”
Police are investigating an incident where a driver is seen running over another man twice. A social media video shows a bakkie driving over another man in the middle of the road. The motive is unclear, but police say initial reports indicate a lovers conflict. #DStv403 #eNCA pic.twitter.com/bjpfGseIYV
— eNCA (@eNCA) April 17, 2025
This tragedy has sent shockwaves through the Zimbabwean community in Johannesburg, with many demanding justice and questioning why the suspect has not yet been apprehended.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
