A company secretary for one of the major state-owned entities was arrested last month after he pointed an AK47 rifle at patrons and employees at a popular shisa nyama in Midrand while drunk.

78 ROUNDS

As if that was not enough drama, Nhlanhla Nicholas Daweti, Transnet Board Secretary, was found to be in possession of 78 rounds of ammunition in his handgun and another 78 rounds on his AK47 rifle in his car, leaving both patrons and employees scared to their bones fearing that he might have intended to massacre them. This dramatic incident allegedly happened at Kyalami Shisanyama in Midrand on the 18 September 2023 during a soul session event. 

Instead of listening to soothing soul ballads and RnB music to cool their minds, the patrons found themselves going under the tables while some flee the venue fearing for their lives. According to police statement deposed by the Kyalami Shisanyama Manager, Vuyo Madzwila, seen by ZiMoja, Daweti, who is also a trained lawyer, arrived at the pub at around 8pm and was found to be in possession of a handgun when searched by the security guards. The manager said the Transnet board secretary was told to take the gun back to his car as they were not allowed at the premises, and he said Daweti elected that the security must keep it safe for him indicating that he would collect it when he was leaving the joint. 

SCARED PATRONS 

However, things took a different turn when the clock hit midnight and the shisa nyama was preparing to close the pub. Madzwila, in his statement indicated that Daweti, who was now intoxicated, allegedly went to his car at the parking bay and came back inside the venue brandishing an AK47 rifle and started pointing it at patrons and employees threatening that he would shoot everyone at the venue. " On 23/ 09/18 at 20h55 A black male by the name of Nhlanhla Daweti came to my work place Kyalami Shisanyama carrying a pistol, black in colour. He was searched at the main entrance by the security guard and the firearm was taken from him and kept in safe for safe keeping as we don't allow firearms inside our business. At about 00h10, he went out from our building to his car at the parking bay. He came back with a rifle pointing everyone at the pub and people started running but my security guard managed overpower him and took the rifle from him. We called the police and the suspect was taken to Midrand SAPS, " reads Madzwila's statement. As to what could have led to Daweti's sudden movie like scene, the manager of the pub said it was not clear as to whether Daweti wanted his handgun back or he was not happy that they were closing, stating that he didn't want to listen except threatening that he was going to shoot everyone. 

POLICE CONFIRM CASE AND COURT APPEARANCE

Gauteng Police Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed the incident stating that Daweti was arrested and was due to appear in court next week. "Police can confirm that a case of pointing of firearm was opened at Midrand Police Station and the suspect was arrested. He appeared at Midrand Magistrate's Court and the case has been remanded to 17 October 2023, at the same court," said Masondo. Ntshaupa Mohale, one of the co-owners of the shisa nyama and businessman confirmed the incident but said they have left the matter in the hands of the police and court.

DAWETI BEGS FOR FORGIVENESS ASKS OWNERS TO DROP CASE 

Zimoja visited the shisa nyama a week after the incident, and while there, Daweti was busy flooding Madzwila's phone with calls begging him to drop the charges stating that the case was going to ruin his career. This was also confirmed by Madzwila who said he had brought the matter to the attention of the owners, who told him to do no such thing. He said the owners of the shisa nyama said they were not interested in Daweti's pity party as he should have thought about that before turning their shisa nyama into a war zone. When contacted about the matter, Daweti claimed that we had contacted the wrong person. This was despite the fact that we had called him in the morning wherein he told ZiMoja that he was in a meeting, and he could speak to us in the afternoon.