Barber shop suspected killer shot dead shortly after court appearance

POLICE are still piecing together clues of what could have been the motive behind the killing of one of the two men arrested over their alleged involvement in the tragic shooting that claimed the lives of three children at a barber shop in Khayelitsha. 

Athule Mtsha was shot dead three weeks ago in Nkanini just hours after appearing in court.  He died alongside another man on Ntlazane Street.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said Harare police responded to a shooting complaint on  May 26 at about 1.15pm in Ntlazane Road, Nkanini.

“Upon arrival at the scene, they found two unknown males with gunshot wounds to their bodies. Both victims were declared dead on the scene by medical personnel,” said Twigg.

The motive for the attack is still unknown, and no arrests have been made.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that Mtsha had appeared in the Khayelitsha Regional Court last month.

“On 26 May 2025, Mtsha appeared at Khayelitsha Regional Court B, and the State was later advised that he was fatally shot on that afternoon of the same day,” said Ntabazalila.

Mtsha and his co-accused, Sithisa Masiko, were arrested shortly after the June 8, 2024, shooting that left three children, aged four, 10, and 12, and a 30-year-old man dead inside a barber shop in Site C.

According to witnesses, unknown gunmen arrived in a white Toyota Quantum, entered the barber shop, and asked patrons about someone allegedly in possession of a firearm.

The suspects then opened fire, killing the children and the adult victim indiscriminately.

The pair was charged with multiple counts of murder, attempted murder, and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

During their bail application, the investigating officer testified that Mtsha was linked to the crime scene through the white Toyota Quantum he had been driving on the day of the shooting.

In an affidavit prepared by his private attorney, Phindile Vephile, Mtsha denied involvement and said he had been in another area at the time of the murders.

“The incident is said to have happened at 2.30pm. At that time, I was not near Site C,” Mtsha stated.

“According to the car tracking system, at 2.36pm I was in Site B, where I dropped my friends off. Thereafter, I went to Kraaifontein and made my way back to Site C after 6 pm.”

Mtsha further claimed he did not know his co-accused before the day of the shooting, stating they only met that day.

Masiko’s girlfriend corroborated his alibi, telling the court he was with her from 1.30pm until around 5pm.

Despite the serious charges, both accused were granted bail and were due to return to court on July 8, 2025,  as the trial continues.

Action Society's spokesperson Kaylynn Palm said: “While Action Society does not welcome any loss of life, we recognise that the individual was implicated in the Barbershop massacre, a brutal mass killing that shocked the Khayelitsha community.

“His death does not and will not deter us from our mission. We remain unwavering in our commitment to seek justice for the victims, to hold every perpetrator accountable, and to ensure that the memory of this atrocity compels continued action against violent crime in South Africa.”

Police have appealed to the public for any information related to Mtsha’s murder.

Anyone with information about the shooting can anonymously contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile application.

Cape Times