Who Killed Father Banda? Police Offer R100K Reward as Search Intensifies

A beloved priest gunned down in his church. A community in shock. A killer still on the loose.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has intensified its search for the suspect behind the cold-blooded murder of Father William Banda, a 36-year-old Malawian priest shot and killed inside the Tzaneen Roman Catholic Church earlier this year.

Now, a R100,000 reward is on the table for any information that could help police track down the gunman — who walked into a house of worship and turned it into a crime scene.

The Morning That Shook Tzaneen

It was meant to be a peaceful morning of prayer. Instead, it ended in horror.

On an otherwise quiet March day, an unidentified man entered the Tzaneen RCC posing as a regular congregant. Without warning, he pulled out a firearm and opened fire on Father Banda as he prepared for a morning sermon.

The killer then fled in a white vehicle with no number plates, leaving behind a stunned congregation and a lifeless priest.

“Father Banda was pronounced dead on the scene by paramedics,” said SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, who described the shooting as a “heinous and senseless act.”

Who Was Father William Banda?

Born in Malawi, Father Banda was known for his kindness, quiet strength, and deep devotion to the people of Tzaneen. Parishioners say he was more than a priest, he was a mentor, a counsellor, and a father figure.

His tragic death has sent shockwaves through both the local Catholic community and the broader Malawian diaspora in South Africa, who continue to demand justice months later.

R100,000 Reward: Help Catch a Killer

With no arrests made and investigations ongoing, SAPS is now calling on the public for help.

“We are offering a reward of R100,000 for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspect involved in this murder,” Ledwaba confirmed.

Anyone with information can contact the investigating officer, call Crime Stop on 08600 10111, visit their nearest police station, or use the MySAPS App to submit tips anonymously.

Eastern Cape Bloodshed: 6 Suspects Killed in Separate Police Shootout

While Limpopo police continue to hunt for Banda’s killer, the Eastern Cape was rocked by its own violent incident.

On Monday evening, six armed suspects were gunned down during a shootout with police officers on the R61 between Mthatha and Ngcobo. The incident unfolded during an intelligence-led operation targeting individuals believed to be part of an extortion syndicate.

“The suspects stepped out of the vehicle and opened fire on officers, who returned fire in self-defence,” said police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana.

All six suspects were killed. Their identities remain unknown pending forensic identification.

A Nation on Edge, Justice Still Elusive

The murder of Father Banda underscores the growing concern over targeted killings and violent crime in South Africa, even in sacred spaces once thought to be safe havens.

As the manhunt for his killer continues, Limpopo residents and Father Banda’s grieving congregation, wait anxiously for justice.

If you know something, now is the time to speak. Father Banda’s killer is still out there. And R100,000 could bring him one step closer to being caught.

{Source: The Citizen}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com