MUT community grieves as second driver is shot dead in two months
The Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) community is in mourning following the tragic shooting death of Zenzele Innocent Mqadi, a 50-year-old driver, just weeks after another driver, Lundi Dlamini, was also killed.
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Emotions ran high at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) in uMlazi this week as staff gathered for the second memorial service in two months to honour a colleague killed in a shooting.
The latest victim, Zenzele Innocent Mqadi, 50, a driver at the university, was shot dead on Friday morning while driving to work in Umlazi. Police confirmed that Mqadi was attacked on Mayibuye Drive in Q Section.
“Police in Umlazi are investigating a case of murder following an incident in which a 50-year-old man was shot and killed at Q Section in Umlazi on Friday morning,” said SAPS spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda. “The deceased was driving to work on Mayibuye Drive when he was shot at by unknown suspects. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene. The motive for the killing is unknown at this stage.”
This tragic incident comes just weeks after another MUT driver, Lundi Dlamini, was also fatally shot.
At the memorial service held on 7 August in the Student Centre foyer, Head of Transport Khehla Ndlovu delivered an emotional tribute, recalling how Mqadi had played a pivotal role in his own career.
“When I came for my interview, Inno was assigned to be the inspector during my test with the MUT bus,” Ndlovu said. “He is the one who recommended that I needed to be hired. I am glad that thereafter we became friends.”
Ndlovu shared that Mqadi once told him he supported his hiring because “he knew I would be a good person to work with.” Fighting back tears, Ndlovu added: “I am grateful I never disappointed him, but I am saddened that today I pay tribute to him at his memorial service. We had great times in the department, and now, things will never be the same.”
The service included a prayer led by Nokuthula Bavu from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, described by attendees as a spiritual turning point in their mourning. Dr Thobile Poswa, Head of the Department of Environmental Health, was recognised for providing pastoral care during the university’s recent tragedies.
Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Resources and Planning, Dr Bheka Ntshangase, stated that the university was awaiting the outcome of police investigations before commenting on possible links between the killings.
“At the moment, the university will be guided by the investigations by the SAPS,” he said.
“Both incidents in question took place outside the university premises, where the university does not have any security jurisdiction. We strongly rely on SAPS to safeguard MUT staff members when they are outside the university, just as they would for any other community member. Currently, the university has offered trauma counselling to all staff members under this Directorate.”
MUT said it had no further details about the murder and declined to share internal security plans, citing the ongoing police investigation.