JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – A Zimbabwean businessman was shot and killed in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, on December 14 in a suspected hit.

Bhekimpilo Ndlovu, a popular figure in the cross-border transport business, had just filled up on petrol at a BP Garage on Klein Street in Hillbrow shortly after 2PM when the killer walked up to him and shot him at point-black range.

He tried to run but the killer shot him two more times, witnesses said.

The killer then ran to his car parked across the road and drove off.

Police say the shooting was captured on the service station’s CCTV which they are now poring over for leads.

Ndlovu, a father of three, had just celebrated his 44th birthday three days before his murder.

Police are pursuing several leads. Three days earlier, Raphael Ndlovu, one of his former employees who now runs his own cross-border transport business, was robbed of R16,000 at gunpoint. Police are yet to confirm if the two incidents are related.

ZimLive also understands that Ndlovu was in the process of suing a Zimbabwean man living in England, Jabulani Ncube, who is also known as Christopher Tshabalala in South Africa, over an adulterous affair with his wife, Nomazwe.

Ndlovu, it is believed, had been handed a stash of pictures proving Ncube was having an affair with his wife which he intended to use in his adultery damages claim.

Forbidden love … Bheki Ndlovu’s wife, Nomazwe, with her lover Jabulani Ncube who was being sued by Ndlovu for adultery damages

Friends have been paying tribute to Ndlovu, who now owned two buses and three Mercedes Benz Sprinter people carriers after becoming a malayitsha in 1997. He was also a popular businessman in Tsholotsho, Matabeleland North, where he owned a shop and a grinding mill.

Alpha Media Holdings owner Trevor Ncube tweeted: “I’m in total shock and disbelief. A young, enterprising Zimbabwean shot and killed in Johannesburg. Bheki Ndlovu whom I called my malume (uncle) is nomore. What a way to go!”

A family spokesman on Tuesday said burial arrangements had not been finalised.