Hysterical cries swept through Bester, Area 10, in Inanda, when the bodies of five suspects were carried from the house they were killed in, between houses and into the forensic pathology services vehicle. 

“My mother’s child,” one person cried repeatedly. 

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said five suspects wanted in connection with murder, attempted murder, including attempted murder on police officers and house robbery cases, were shot and killed in a shootout with police in Bester in the early hours of Thursday morning. 

Netshiunda said the suspects had been causing considerable disruption in Inanda and its neighbouring areas.

He said that at the end of November, the suspects shot at police and have been at large since. 

Netshiunda said the police operationalised intelligence on Thursday morning after receiving information on the suspects’ location. 

“When police arrived at the scene, the suspects fired shots towards police officers through the door. To protect themselves and those in the vicinity of the house, police returned fire. During the shootout, five suspects were shot and fatally wounded. Four firearms were recovered, and a thorough search of the house was yet to be conducted,” Netshiunda said. 

He added that no police officers were injured in the shootout. 

Although details are sketchy, community members said that not all suspects were involved in criminal activity. Some were at the wrong place at the wrong time. 

Sihle Ntombela, whose uncle, Siyabonga Carlos Ntombela (40s), was killed, said Carlos left home on Wednesday night around midnight. He had gone to the house to drink. 

“They drank and slept. Then the police arrived while he and his friend were asleep because they were found in one of the rooms,” Ntombela said. 

“They have nothing to do with criminality.” 

Ntombela said his uncle and his uncle’s friend were with a woman whom they usually drink with, but she left them and went home because of a disagreement. 

“The house where the incident occurred is her home. The woman’s son is also a victim. He also has nothing to do with crime,” Ntombela said. 

“I don’t know the other two people. I cannot comment about them because I don’t know them.” 

Ntombela said the community loved Carlos. 

“They just drank all week long and slept all week. Then wake up to drink all week. That was how they lived,” Ntombela said. 

He added that Carlos did not have children. 

Khethiwe Mpanza’s son, Lindokuhle Mnyandu, 26, was also one of the suspects. 

“I don’t know whether he was into criminality or not. It shocked me to learn he was shot. But because of God, I have accepted,” Mpanza said. 

She said she last saw Mnyandu on Tuesday. 

“He came to see me. He greeted me and asked me how I am. I said I’m fine. Then he said he’s in a rush, he’s leaving, but he will return,” Mpanza said. 

She said one of her sons was shot dead while on his way to work one morning. Mnyandu was still young and was very emotional when his brother died. He also did not get counselling then, she added. 

Mpanza said Mnyandu was fine, then he was not. 

“You know how children are. We would discipline and argue, but it would pass. What I saw in him was that he had a lot of anger after his brother died. But I couldn’t do anything because I was also affected,” Mpanza said. 

She said her eldest died after being shot. Her second born died at one year and five months. Her third born, a daughter, works at King Dinuzulu Hospital (formerly King George V Hospital). Mnyandu was her last born. 

“Now I no longer have any sons. I’m left with my daughter,” Mpanza said. 

She added that Mnyandu leaves behind a six-year-old child. 

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za

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