KZN chief shot and killed in front of daughter

Johannesburg – A KwaZulu-Natal chief has been shot and killed in front of his daughter during a drive-by shooting on Monday evening, police said.

Chief Linda Mathonsi, 58, was shot in the head and neck on Monday evening around 18:00 while travelling with his daughter, 25, who was also shot on the arm, Colonel Thembeka Mbele said.

The two had been travelling in the Chappies area of Sundumbili when a car drove up next to theirs and an occupant began shooting at the two, she said.

Mathonsi died on the scene and his daughter was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

According to IPSS paramedics spokesperson Paul Herbst, the incident – which some have described as an assassination attempt – took place shortly after Mathonsi picked his daughter up near a library in the area.

Police have opened a case of murder and attempted murder. The motive was still unknown, Mbele said.