A TRADITIONAL function at a family home in Qubuka outside Mtubatuba, ended in one man’s death and three others rushed to hospital with serious gunshot injuries.
Victims, including a policeman and two guests, are still recovering from wounds sustained in the shoot-out last week, which reportedly unfolded when an unwelcome guest made an appearance at the party and was chased away by the family.
He then submitted a complaint to the local SAPS and once members of the police arrived at the event, the man, identified as Vusi Mayise, returned.
‘When the people at the function saw him, they attacked and assaulted him,’ said KwaMsane SAPS spokesperson, Captain Jabulani Mdletshe.
‘Mayise fell down and the people were on top of him when he suddenly fired shots.
‘Mvelo Thuthukani Phungula (26) was shot in the stomach and died at the scene.
‘Constable Sibonelo Ndwandwe was shot in the back, Mazwi Gift Phungula was shot in both legs and Sicelo Siyaya was shot twice in the arm and leg.’
All three men were rushed to Hlabisa Hospital for treatment.
Police later found Mayise at a clinic in KwaMsane, having also sustained a gunshot wound in his arm.
He was charged with murder and three cases of attempted murder.
The suspect made his first appearance in the KwaMsane Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
