Durban — Residents of Ndwedwe ward 18, where five people were shot and killed over the weekend, said they were shocked by the incident in their quiet area.
Residents were reacting to the Ndwedwe Local Municipality’s announcement of the murders on its Facebook page over the weekend.
The municipality said Ndwedwe was shrouded in a dark cloud because of the shooting in the Mission area in ward 18.
On Sunday, mayor Simon Mfeka, deputy mayor Zandile Siwetu, and speaker and ward councillor Mduduzi Cele visited the homes of the victims - the Ngcobo family, where three people died, the Mthethwa family, where one person died and the Gumede family, where another one person died.
The municipality said it was found that the victims were sitting at a shop when they were attacked by unknown people.
“As the municipality of Ndwedwe, we sympathise with the families who have lost their relatives. May their souls rest in peace. We hope that the police will play their role to ensure that the killers are found,” the municipality said.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said on Saturday at 1.30pm, a group of men were sitting on the veranda of a tuck shop at Ndwedwe Mission when they were attacked by gunmen.
“The suspects opened fire on the group who were drinking alcohol while taking cover from the rain. The gunmen fled the scene directly afterwards. Four individuals were declared dead at the scene while three were taken to the hospital for medical attention. One of the men later died in hospital. The dead are aged between 21 and 43 years,” Naicker said.
Commenting on Facebook, Soweto Jali said people will ruin their area, which was beautiful and quiet.
“Can the police please play their role,” Jali said.
“What is sad is that our area where we grew up is peaceful without all this… Where is the conscience of our people, will you pray for the people, do you have any benefit from that, what you do to others will happen to you again and again,” Jali added.
Oka Sjongo Ngcolosi agreed with Jali, and added that criminals were ruining their area.
Julazike Magwaza said that almost 80% of the people knew each other in ward 18 in Ndwedwe. “We’re a family,” Magwaza said.
DaCroc Mchoboza said their area was going down in ruins while they watched.
Nhlangano Tuckshop said it was painful to hear about the killing of the children. Beautiful things were expected from them.
Daily News