Two individuals, Sandile Khumalo (mechanic) and Sizwe Mbingo, have been detained after it was discovered that they were in possession of weapons and ammunition that were allegedly used to shoot Mpumalanga councillor Sbonelo Mthembu and two other people on Friday.

Two individuals have been detained after it was discovered that they were in possession of weapons and ammunition that were allegedly used to shoot Mpumalanga councillor Sbonelo Mthembu and two other people on Friday.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the two men were arrested in Longhomes township on Monday and that an automatic rifle and ammunition had been confiscated.

During the arrest, officers also confiscated other firearms and ammunition allegedly owned by a security company.

Along with Mthembu, two other men were killed in the shooting: Mthembu's mechanic Sandile Khumalo, 51, and his friend Sizwe Mbingo, 40.

Mthembu and Khumalo had just been dropped off by Mbingo, when they were shot at, said Mohlala.

Mohlala said:

The suspects reportedly fired multiple shots at [Mthembu] who was in the yard, and also shot Mbingo inside a bakkie. [He] sadly died at the scene. Khumalo was shot in the yard as well. Thereafter the suspects fled in an unknown direction.

Mbigno died on the scene. Mthembu and Khumalo were both taken to hospital, but later succumbed to their injuries.