Eshowe Triple Murder Suspect Remains on the Run as Police Report No New Developments

David Naidoo Published 4 hours ago

5 min read

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Police in KwaZulu-Natal have reported no new developments in the investigation into the fatal shooting of three women at a Boxer grocery store in Eshowe, as the search for Nzuzo Mthombeni continues.

The three women were killed on Saturday, 10 October 2026, inside the store in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Police have identified Mthombeni as a person of interest and are appealing to the public for information that could assist investigators in locating him.

Three Women Killed Inside the Store

The shooting took place at a Boxer store in Eshowe while an internal disciplinary hearing involving a former employee was reportedly taking place.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda previously confirmed that the suspect had gone to the store for the hearing before allegedly producing a firearm and shooting three people.

The victims were declared dead at the scene.

Initial police information identified all three victims as women employed at the store. Subsequent reports indicated that they were members of the management team, reportedly including the store manager, bakery manager and administration manager.

The incident prompted a murder investigation and a search for the alleged shooter, who left the scene and has not been reported arrested in the latest update.

Police Appeal for Information

On 16 October, police publicly appealed for assistance in locating Mthombeni, saying information about his whereabouts could assist with the investigation into the three killings.

Members of the public with information about his whereabouts were asked to contact Colonel Ngcobo on 082 334 8123 or Warrant Officer Sibiya on 079 500 0031.

The latest update published on Monday, 19 October, indicated that investigators had made no new progress to report. Mthombeni remained at large, and the investigation was ongoing.

CCTV Footage Circulates on Social Media

Footage showing the shooting has circulated widely on social media, drawing public attention to the killings and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The footage has also fuelled debate about the case, including questions about workplace treatment and the police search for the suspect. However, public speculation does not establish the circumstances that led to the shooting, and allegations about the suspect’s workplace experiences should not be treated as confirmed facts without supporting evidence.

Boxer Responds to the Deaths

Boxer previously expressed condolences to the families and loved ones of the three employees. The retailer also said it was supporting affected colleagues and cooperating with the South African Police Service and other relevant authorities in the investigation.

The deaths have left three families grieving and prompted renewed attention to the safety of employees in workplaces. The criminal investigation remains the central focus as police continue seeking information that could help locate the person of interest.

Police had not announced an arrest in the latest update, and no new developments had been reported as of 19 October 2026.

OTHER NEWS

Bloemfontein Man Arrested After Police Find M26 Hand Grenade and Imitation Firearm

A 28-year-old man is expected to appear in court after police discovered a used M26 hand-practice grenade and an imitation firearm during an intelligence-driven operation in Bloemfontein.

The suspect was arrested on Saturday, 17 October 2026, after members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) followed up information about a person allegedly in possession of an illegal firearm.

According to the police, three members of the Public Order Policing (POP) Unit and a sergeant from the Diving Unit were involved in the operation. The officers proceeded to identified premises, where they found an informal structure behind the main house and encountered the suspect.

During a search, police discovered a black imitation firearm bearing the description “GLOCK C15”. The item did not have a magazine or trigger.

Officers also found a used hand grenade inside a bag. The discovery prompted police to call in the SAPS Bomb and Explosives Unit and the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) to examine the items.

The Bomb and Explosives Unit identified the device as an M26 hand-practice grenade that had already been used. Police reported that it did not contain a detonator or safety lever, and no visible lot number was present.

The grenade’s discovery raised concerns about how the device came into the suspect’s possession. Police stated that possession of this type of grenade is restricted to authorised members of the SAPS and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), subject to the necessary permission.

Given these restrictions and the circumstances in which the grenade was found, it was suspected to be stolen property.

The 28-year-old was subsequently arrested and detained on a charge of possession of suspected stolen property. Both the imitation firearm and the grenade were seized and booked in as exhibits for further investigation.

The suspect is expected to appear in court soon. Investigations are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the possession of the items.

Police have not indicated that the imitation firearm was used in a crime, and the reported discovery of the grenade does not, by itself, establish that the suspect was involved in any other offence.