Shock in Strand as business owner gunned down in suspected hit

A wave of shock swept through the Strand community following the murder of a well-known local businessman in his workshop on Wednesday evening 20 May.

Ben Zandamela (40), owner of Ben Panelbeaters, was gunned down in what authorities were treating as a targeted hit.

The incident occurred at approximately 18:00 at his business premises at 18A Smit Street, Strand.

According to preliminary police reports Zandamela and his co-workers were finishing up a vehicle spray-painting job when the horror unfolded.

Two unknown African males entered the shop and, without uttering a single word, one of the suspects walked directly up to Zandamela and opened fire, discharging 10 shots at close range. He died at the scene.

The gunmen immediately fled and got into a a small white vehicle waiting outside.
None of the workers were physically harmed in the attack.

Zandamela, a Mozambican national who lived in Firgrove, was well-known in the local area.

News of his killing triggered an immediate and massive outpouring of grief and sympathy on social media.

Police were investigating a case of murder and no arrests had yet been made.