Family of gunned down policeman in anguish

“A soldier dies in war, but we were still expecting more of Vido.” These are the words of Nomthandazo Mjoli, who is a family member of the policeman, Sergeant Vakele Mjoli, 43, who was shot and killed at a Shoprite store that was being robbed in Ngcobo last week.

Thandi, who is Mjoli’s sister, said they are saddened by the death of their brother, especially the manner in which he died. She said that the family are not the only ones saddened but also the whole village of Mbozi because Vido was a people’s person.

“We are shocked because we did not expect Vido’s death. But we accept it because it has happened, there is nothing we can change. My brother died in the war as a soldier. We are at a loss because he took care of his sisters’ children, they depended on him as their mothers are gone, and he also took care of his own,” said Thandi Mjoli.

“We do not cry alone, he was helping the community here in the village without looking for anything in return, that is why on the day of the robbery it was as if it was the day of his funeral because people were remembering his deeds,” said Thandi.

The deceased Sergeant after the death of both his parents stepped up and resurrected his home and took care of his deceased sisters’ children.

Mjoli used to work in Cape Town for a long time, and in 2014 he came back to Ngcobo because he wanted to revive his home and be close to it.

This week on Wednesday, the police department held a memorial service for Mjoli at Bhojana Methodist Church in Ngcobo.

On Saturday he will be laid to rest at his home in Mbozi village in Willowvale.

He leaves behind his wife, brother, other sisters, two children and nieces and nephews whom he looked after.

The suspects who went to rob the store were five in total, two are still at large, one has been arrested and two have died.

The MEC for Transport and Community Safety in the Eastern Cape, Xolile Nqatha, said that there should be no rest and an example should be made out of the two suspects who are still at large, which hurts the Mjoli family.

Member of Parliament in Cape Town, Fikile Xasa, expressed his condolences to the family as well, urging the public to always cooperate with the police to prevent crime.

A case of attempted murder and murder has been opened.