Tributes have been pouring in for the former SABC and e.tv sports presenter and former government spokesperson Jeffrey Zikhali, who was shot and killed before his body was thrown out of a moving car last week Friday. It's alleged that Zikhali was on his way to his home village of KwaDlangezwa when the incident happened.

In a lengthy tribute shared on social media, his former colleague and former Zulu e.tv news reader Mabutho Ngcobo, said that he was distraught by the news of his passing,weeks after the death of Ukhozi FM sports presenter Irvin Sihlophe. Sihlophe died after suffering a stroke at the age of 43.

Ngcobo wrote, "As I am still trying to come to terms with the fact that usbari u-Irvin is no more after lowering his white casket with his lifeless body into the unforgiving brown sand of his rural village of eKhwezi in Harding, I now find myself contending with another sudden death of former Radio Khwezi journalists, ubhuti Jeffrey. If there is a death remote control somewhere beyond the rainbow, it must be in the hands of people who do not like peace. How do you take away Irvin, a former Khwezi reporter, and while we are still mourning him, you then take away his mentor and former editor Jeffrey? But perhaps as a born Catholic, I have to accept that it is God's will," he wrote.

Zikhali was described as passionate about radio and sports. After a few years as a sports anchor, ZIkhali became a spokesperson for Social Development MEC Meshack Radebe. In a tribute, a senior KZN government spokesperson Mbulelo Baloyi, said he had known Zikhali for over 20 years when he was still at Radio Khwezi. "He was unlike other novice broadcasters. He was very professional and up-to-date with what was happening. We lost a great man, someone who stuck to his conviction, even if everyone was against it like he did when he defended KwaSizabantu Mission," Baloyi added.

KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the murder. He said Empangeni has opened a case of murder for investigation after Zikhali's body was found lying on the R102 road near the Ndabayakhe off-ramp outside Empangeni last week. "Police were on routine patrol duty when they stumbled upon the body. A cellphone and a driver's licence were found next to the body which assisted in identifying the man. He was declared dead on the scene. The motive of the killing and the suspects are unknown at this stage and police are appealing to anyone who might have information which might assist in the investigation to contact the Empangeni police station," he said. Zikhali will be laid to rest tomorrow at his homestead in Dlangezwa.