Community demands crackdown after mass shooting in uMlazi

ERIC Mshibe, a long-time community activist in uMlazi, has called for a stronger police response to tackle drugs and illegal alcohol sales in the notorious uMlazi township.

This follows the mass killing of eight people, six males and two females, at the Zamani informal settlement, when unknown gunmen stormed the house they were in and opened fire before fleeing the scene.

The eight were believed to have met their fate while they were allegedly drinking alcohol. 

Mshibe, who has led a series of crime-fighting initiatives in uMlazi, including street patrolling, blamed the issue of drugs, which included alcohol, for the killing of people in uMlazi.   

“I think we need to deal with the issue of drugs, including alcohol, harshly. I think this is the cause of such incidents affecting many communities, including our own here in Umlazi.”

While calling for a tough stance against the fight against drugs, Mshibe praised the provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, for his efforts in curbing crime.

“He is really doing a superb job in the fight against crime. But we need more people, including us as community activists, to lend our weight behind the police crime-fighting measures,” he said. 

It was unclear what the motive of the killing was as the police were still investigating.

Commissioner Mkhwanazi recently cited Chatsworth as one of the areas where drug usage triggered altercations, which sometimes led to the death of people.     

Asked if he was not afraid of speaking out against the issue of drugs, he said fighting crime was his childhood passion.

“I have fought crime for many decades. This is a passion. If I am targeted for trying to do something good for my community, that’s okay,” he said.

Local councillor Sizwe Mthethwa in uMlazi echoed the sentiments shared by Mshibe.

“Drugs are destroying our township. If we defeat drugs, we can restore safety. The issue of drugs collectively is killing our township. If the government wins the battle against drugs, our communities will become better places to live in.

"The provincial commissioner (Mkhwanazi) has been doing a sterling piece of work. But we need to all collectively work together to eradicate the issue of crime in our neighbourhoods," said Mthethwa.

This incident followed the sentencing to seven life terms and 70 years imprisonment of Siphamandla Dlomo, for the murders, attempted murders and housebreaking he committed in August 2023 in uMlazi’s Q section, which is neighbouring uMlazi U, where the eight people were killed on Friday. 

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Thamsanqa Ntuli, who visited the bloody crime scene on Saturday, strongly condemned the brutal killing, labelling it “barbaric” and calling for swift arrests. 

“No society can function under the threat of such brutal violence. We must work together – community, government, and police – to reclaim our communities from criminals,” said Premier Ntuli.

He also promised to implement crime-fighting measures, including the installation of Apollo lights and surveillance cameras in high-risk areas to detect and deter criminal activity and protect vulnerable residents.

He extended his condolences to the bereaving families. He instructed the Department of Social Development to urgently provide necessary support services, including psychosocial support and counselling to those impacted.

Reacting to the incident, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said: “The attack, which claimed the lives of innocent individuals, is a horrific act of violence that has no place in our society. We condemn this heinous crime in the strongest possible terms. Such calculated and cold-blooded violence tears at the fabric of our communities.”

He said a dedicated team of investigators has been assigned to pursue every lead, gather critical evidence, and haul those behind this “atrocity to book”. 

“We will not rest until those responsible face the consequences of their actions. We call on members of the community to stand together with law enforcement during this time."

Provincial spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said: “Police in KwaZulu-Natal have launched a manhunt for an unknown number of suspects who shot and killed eight people at Zama informal settlement at U Section, Umlazi on Friday evening, 16 May 2025.”

He added: “Police responded to reports of multiple murders and upon arrival at the scene, eight people, six men and two women, whose ages range between 22 and 40 years old, were found lying in a pool of blood with multiple gunshot wounds.”

Police have appealed to anyone who might have information which can assist in the investigation to contact the nearest police station or call the crime stop number, 08600 10111.

WhatsApp your views on this story at 071 485 7995

DAILY NEWS