FAMILY, friends and colleagues of late Alex FM music manager Joshua Mbatha (32), affectionately known as DJ Jorontinah, don’t believe he died as a result of robbery.
The DJ died on Thursday, 14 July in Alexandra, north of Joburg after being shot by alleged robbers.
But his loved ones believe it was more than just a robbery.
Alex FM’s station manager Takalani Nemangowe said the way the incident occurred didn’t prove to be a robbery, but they didn’t know what it was, yet.
He explained what happened the day Jorontinah was shot.
“On Thursday, 14 July, Joshua and three colleagues were on their way home. They don’t live far from the station, so they usually walk. One was left at 4th Avenue. As they were walking down, they met three young boys, heavily armed. They did not confront them, they just opened fire at Joshua, without talking. While his colleagues were confused and screaming, they instructed them to lie down, took their phones and shoes. They searched Joshua, took his phone and asked for his password. They said ‘what’s your password before we finish your off.’ He was still alive at that time,” he said.
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Takalani said Joshua was then rushed to the hospital.
“After taking their belongings, they walked away and continued to shoot down the road. That’s when he was rushed to a local clinic, unfortunately, about 20 minutes, he died,” he said.
“At this point, we are not even sure it was a robbery. As far as we know, with a robbery, they just take what they want and leave. But the way this was done, we are not sure. We don’t know the motive, so we don’t know if it was just an act of criminality or people were trigger happy, or what,” said Takalani.
He also said the station will help Joshua’s family as he was the breadwinner.
“Our prayers and thoughts are with the family. He was the breadwinner and they were looking up to him. His parents are pensioners, and they are ailing. So, to those who did this to Joshua, they must know that the Mbatha family has daughters and sons from the Alex FM family. We will see to it that we assist the family not just with the funeral, but going forward as well,” he said.
Joshua is one of the seven people who were killed on Thursday night in Alexandra.
His memorial service will be held at Sankopano Community Hall in Alexandra. And he will be buried on Saturday, 23 July.
