POLICE still are still trying to find answers after at least six people were killed in the Mambuka area near Empangeni over the festive season.
According to a statement issued by the office of the KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mxolisi
Kaunda, the incidents which occurred between 18 and 26 December, appeared to have been separate incidents with a similar modus operandi.
Kaunda has called for calm in the area after it emerged that one of the victims was a Wits university student at home for the holidays and another a 103-year-old grandmother.
The victims have been identified as Simosakhe Ndlovu, Mfanafuthi Myeni, Nkosinathi Mthiyane, Khulekani Zulu, Lucky Nala and Fundakwezakhe Magwaza.
According to reports they were all attacked and shot.
Kaunda visited the area at the end of December to ascertain the cause of the killings.
Mambuka forms part of the dissolved Ntambanana Municipality which was last year absorbed by the uMhlathuze and Mthonjaneni municipalities.
Tempers flared in Ntambanana and Buchanana near Mambuka where unemployment is rife, and last week community protests erupted over a lack of water.
‘The situation here is shocking,’ Kaunda said.
‘The murder of so many people in such a short space of time in one village is taken seriously.
‘We are told that the people of this area are now fearing for their lives. What is even more worrying is that there is no clear reasons nor motive for these killings, hence the fact finding mission today.
‘We have called this urgent meeting essentially to formulate a clear plan and strategy to fight the scourge of killings and criminality in this area,’ said Kaunda.
Police have since increased deployments and visibility in the area said the statement.
A task team of detectives has also been assigned to tackle the investigations.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
