NATIONAL NEWS - The massive land claim instituted by so-called chief Velaphi Victor Lekhuleni will continue to be processed even though the controversial initiation school owner and alleged self-proclaimed chief was shot dead on Tuesday.

The 48-year-old, who had thousands of residents of the east and north of Pretoria up in arms for the past few months after lodging the multi-billion rand land claim, was gunned down at the gate of his 16-year-old girlfriend, police confirmed.

According to Lerato Sehlapelo of the regional land claims commission, the commission would continue to process the claim on behalf of the Bakgatla ba Lekhuleni community as ordered by the Land Claims Court, despite the death of Lekhuleni.

Chief land claims commissioner Nomfundo Gbodo expressed sadness on Wednesday morning over the death of Lekhuleni.

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by his death. We send our condolences to his family,” Gobodo said in a statement.

Lekhuleni launched the land claim several years ago.