Tragic Shooting in Mkhuhlu: Two Killed, One Injured in Mercedes Benz Attack.

Tragic Shooting in Mkhuhlu: Two Killed, One Injured in Mercedes Benz Attack.

Mkhuhlu, Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga – A deadly shooting claimed the lives of two individuals and left a third person injured in Mkhuhlu, Bushbuckridge, on the morning of August 22, 2025, at approximately 11:00 AM. The violent incident, which unfolded in broad daylight, has left the community with concerns about gun violence in the region.

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the victims were traveling in a Mercedes Benz when they were ambushed by unknown assailants wielding a high-calibre firearm. The hail of bullets resulted in the immediate deaths of two occupants, while a third person inside the vehicle sustained injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. The condition of the surviving victim remains undisclosed at this time.

The identities of the victims have not yet been established, and police are working to confirm their details as part of the ongoing investigation. Brigadier Mdhluli stated that the motive for the shooting remains unclear, and no arrests have been made. “We are appealing to the public for any information that could assist in identifying the perpetrators and uncovering the circumstances behind this tragic event,” Mdhluli said.

The attack adds to a series of violent incidents in the Bushbuckridge area, which has seen multiple shootings in recent years. In June 2025, four people were shot in separate incidents in the region, including an ambush on the R536 and a tavern shooting in Oakley near Mkhuhlu, where a man was killed in a silver-grey VW Polo TSI. Similarly, in March 2023, taxi-related violence in Oakley resulted in the death of a taxi driver and injuries to others, underscoring the area’s vulnerability to gun violence.

Community members expressed shock and fear following the latest incident, with some calling for increased police presence and stricter measures to curb illegal firearms. The use of a high-calibre firearm in this attack echoes other violent crimes in South Africa, such as a 2021 drive-by shooting in Durban, where high-calibre rifles were used to target a taxi owner and his bodyguard.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched a manhunt for the suspects and is urging anyone with information to contact the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Authorities have assured the public that all tips will be treated with confidentiality, and callers may remain anonymous.