Sakhumzi Dalinzolo Mareke, who claimed to be the chief of Mthatha West, was killed in a shootout with the police on Wednesday evening.

Eastern Cape police said officers from the National Intervention Unit (NIU), which focuses on fighting extortion, searched Mareke’s car while patrolling in Mandela Park, Mthatha. They found guns, but since the guns were licensed, the police left.

Later, police noticed they were being followed by a Nissan Qashqai and a Toyota Fortuner.

When the police arrived at their base, the vehicles stopped behind them, and three men, including Mareke, got out with guns and started shooting at the police. The police fired back and killed the three men.

Police spokesperson Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed that one of the men killed was Sakhumzi Mareke, 42, who was suspected of leading several extortion cases in the Mthatha area.

During the shootout, a police officer was injured, and a case of attempted murder was opened.

Eastern Cape Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha warned criminals against attacking the police.

“We warn criminals to refrain from attacking and blocking police from doing their job or face the music,” said Nqatha.

“We hope that this incident will send a strong message to criminals that the time to massage criminals has long gone in this province.”

The AbaThembu royal family also released a statement, making it clear that Mareke was not a real traditional leader or chief of Mthatha West.

“The Royal House of AbaThembu wishes to clarify that Mr Mareke was never a traditional leader or a chief of the Mthatha West area,” the statement read.

Mareke had been involved in several extortion cases, particularly targeting schools in the Mthatha West area.

Pictured above: Self-proclaimed Mthatha West Chief Sakhumzi Dalinzolo Mareke.

Source: Facebook