MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison activates community crime-fighting structures, working with the police, as killings continue unabated.
Durban - Mariannhill community members were still in shock following the separate mass shooting incidents that claimed more than ten lives last week Saturday.
According to provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Jay Naicker, a group of unknown men opened fire at people at a tuckshop in Mariannhill killing six men aged between 30 and 65.
Initial investigations revealed that the tuckshop owner and his two sons were among the dead.
The Isiqhopholozi tuckshop, which also doubled as a tavern, was situated at the corner of Mpanza and Nxele street in Savannah Park. It was run by Duncan Mzobe who was killed along with Sibusiso Mzobe, Siyabonga Khenisa, Sanele Khenisa, Phumlani Mpithimpithi, Siphamandla Shezi and Siyakudumisa Mtshengu.
Sikhumbuzo Mvubu, local businessman and owner of the tuckshop, was gunned down on Monday.
According to Siphiwe Mpithimpithi, son of 52-year-old Phumlani Mpithimpithi, who was killed, the family was still in shock.
He described his father as a loving man who was well liked and respected in the community.
“Our lives will obviously no longer be the same. It will be harder, especially for my mother,” he said.
Mpithimpithi said justice must prevail.
“We look forward to getting regular updates from the police, regarding the progress made in finding the killers but hopefully justice will prevail,” he added.
Mpithimpithi will be buried next Saturday.
Gift Mtshengu, the younger brother of Siyakudumisa Mtshengu, 28, who was known as Rasta, described him as a quiet and loving family man who never bothered anyone.
He added that life for their family would be harder, as his late brother, who worked as a builder and was the sole breadwinner in their home, was no longer alive.
The Mzobe and Khenisa family laid their loved ones to rest yesterday while Mtshengu will be buried today in Flagstaff.
In another incident in Dassenhoek, also situated in Mariannhill, another five people were killed on Saturday evening.
According to Naicker, a man walked into a house and attempted to rob four people of their cellphones and money, before the group managed to assault and disarm the suspect.
“They allegedly assaulted him and let him go. The man allegedly returned a short while later and shot three women and a man inside the house. Another was shot dead in the yard,” said Naicker.
The deceased in that incident were Noluthando Mkhize, Pretty Shozi, Nonhlanhla Gumede, Ndumiso Kunene and Phumlani Gasa.
Pretty Shozi’s relative described her as a harmless person who loved people and brought joy wherever she went.
She added that she was hopeful that the criminal would be held accountable.
Shozi will be buried tomorrow at her home in Emantsentseni, Dassenhoek.
MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Peggy Nkonyeni, who visited the scenes on Sunday, said that they had activated community crime fighting structures to also work hand in hand with the police and to reinforce community participation.
She called on community members who might have information to come forward and assist with the investigations.
The killings come after a series of mass shootings that took place in the various parts of the country, including KZN.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE