Chief Jongilanga Khoza is recovering in hospital after being attacked by armed intruders at his home in Kildare B Trust, Bushbuckridge, on Tuesday night, 27 October. The incident has prompted traditional leaders in Mpumalanga to call for urgent intervention and improved protection for members of the provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders.
Kgoshi Mathupa Mokoena said the attack began when two suspects entered the property through a window. One of the men allegedly pointed a firearm at Khoza and ordered him to lie down before attempting to restrain him. The second suspect reportedly used a knife during the struggle.
“He then decided to fight back against the suspect holding the gun, causing the magazine to fall out.”
According to Mokoena, Khoza resisted despite being outnumbered. During the confrontation, he was stabbed in the back and suffered heavy blood loss. The attackers allegedly abandoned the assault and ran away after realising that he was continuing to fight back.
Khoza lost consciousness as a result of his injuries and was taken to the nearest hospital for medical treatment. He was later moved to another hospital because of security concerns, Mokoena said. No details were provided about the hospitals involved or Khoza’s current medical condition.
Leaders fear further attacks
The incident has heightened concerns among traditional leaders who say the lack of arrests in recent attacks is leaving them exposed. Mokoena said he was also targeted at his home on 9 October, when shots were reportedly fired at the property. He was not injured.
In that case, Mokoena said police attended the scene and took a statement, but the suspects had not been identified or arrested. He said the uncertainty had created fear that traditional leaders could be attacked again without warning.
The two incidents reported by traditional leaders are set out below:
| Date | Reported incident | Known outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 9 October | Shots reportedly fired at Kgoshi Mathupa Mokoena’s home | Mokoena escaped unharmed; investigation ongoing |
| 27 October | Chief Jongilanga Khoza attacked at his Kildare B Trust home | Khoza was injured, hospitalised and later transferred |
Mokoena has appealed to the broader security cluster to respond to the concerns raised by traditional leaders. He said they wanted police protection and suggested that leaders would be willing to consider paying for security if that was necessary to safeguard their lives.
His appeal comes as the details of the latest attack remain under investigation. Police have not confirmed the identity of the suspects, whether a firearm or knife has been recovered, or whether anyone has been arrested in connection with the assault.
Police withhold comment
Makhado police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said police could not comment on Khoza’s case at this stage because of the sensitive nature of the investigation. The reported attack on Mokoena also remains under investigation, according to police.
The lack of publicly confirmed information means that several important aspects of the case remain unclear, including the motive for the attack, whether the suspects knew Khoza personally, and whether the incident is connected to the earlier shooting at Mokoena’s home. No such link has been confirmed.
For now, the known facts are limited to the reported entry into Khoza’s home, the assault, his hospitalisation and the suspects’ escape. Any further developments, including arrests or charges, will depend on the police investigation and the evidence gathered at the scene.
- Khoza was attacked at his home in Kildare B Trust on 27 October.
- Two suspects allegedly entered through a window and one was armed with a gun.
- Khoza was stabbed in the back, lost consciousness and was taken to hospital.
- Traditional leaders are asking for stronger protection from the security cluster.
- Police have not confirmed arrests and say the investigation is sensitive.
The incidents have placed renewed focus on the safety of traditional leaders in Bushbuckridge and on the response required when attacks take place at their private homes. Until investigators establish who was responsible, the leaders remain concerned that those behind the attacks could strike again.
