Durban, South Africa – Pastor Langa Sakhile, described by the press as one of Durban’s most colourful characters who helped those in need, was killed while trying to apprehend men who had robbed a local store on Saturday night, The Mercury reports.
The EThekwini Community Church cleric, municipality official and actor was shot by one robber who allegedly accosted employees at a supermarket in South Beach Avenue.
According to the police, four gunmen robbed the store of an undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes and fled at about 6.45 pm.
While the robbers were fleeing, Pst Sakhile, who had been visiting a friend, tried to stop them.
Eyewitnesses said he was shot in the chest as he alighted from his car to stop the man.
He was taken to hospital.
“He was taken to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The suspect was arrested and the firearm was recovered,” Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele.
Cases of robbery and murder were opened at the Point police station.
The mood at eThekwini Community Church was sombre last Sunday, as the congregation remembered how jovial Pastor Sakhile was during the previous Sunday’s service.
A stakeholder and protocol officer in the Parks, Recreation and Culture Department of eThekwini Municipality, he was described on social media platforms as a hero, a people’s person, a man who lived to serve others, and who fought against social ills, including xenophobia.
EThekwini Municipality’s head of parks, recreation and culture, Thembinkosi Ngcobo, said the manner in which Sakhile died reflected how he lived his life.
“He was a very helpful man who was always by my side as he worked in my department. He died in service to mankind, and that is the way he lived his life,” Ngcobo said.
He said after he had spent the day with Sakhile last Thursday when their meetings were cancelled, it appeared as if Sakhile had a premonition of his death.
“About nine months ago, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. We were all devastated in the office and rallied around him. We don’t always get time to relax and chat, but on Thursday, he told me about all the financial plans he had set in place for his family for after he died. He knew he would die, but I don’t think he thought it would be in this way,” Ngcobo said.
Ngcobo described Sakhile as “more than a colourful character” who would light up a room just by walking into it and a man who would befriend strangers and take control of any gathering.
He would organise birthday parties for everyone in the office, including the security guards and tea ladies, Ngcobo added.
Fellow pastor and long-time friend, Bishop Vusi Dube said Pst Sakhile moved with him when he opened his new church and he had known him for over 20 years as he was a fellow pastor and head of the men’s ministry.
“I am heartbroken. He was my friend and my comrade in the ANC. One of the reasons that ended his life was his caring nature and drive to assist wherever he could,” said Bishop Dube.
He added that Langa had sung a song, which they now view as his way of saying farewell to them.
“He was a social person, very organised and a true leader. His death is not only a loss to his family, but to the people of Durban as well,” he said.
On his acting roles, Pastor Langa appeared on TV dramas such as Mzansi Magic’s eHostela and on Lockdown.
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