In a tragic incident that has shaken the uMlazi community in Durban, eight people were shot dead in a senseless act of violence that has drawn widespread condemnation.

The victims, including six men and two women aged between 22 and 40, were found in Zama informal settlement at U Section in uMlazi. 

KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said that provincial police have launched a manhunt for an unknown number of suspects.

He said police responded to reports of multiple murders and, upon arrival at the scene, eight people, six men and two women, were found lying in a pool of blood with multiple gunshot wounds.

“It is reported that the victims were inside the dwelling when an unknown number of suspects entered and opened fire, killing them at the scene.”

Netshiunda said investigations into the possible motive of the killings are underway.

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 all leads, gather evidence and arrest the criminals. 

“We call on members of the community to stand together with law enforcement during this time. If you have any information—no matter how small—that may assist in identifying or locating the perpetrators, we urge you to come forward. 

“You can contact your nearest police station or call the Crime Stop number anonymously at 08600 10111,” Mchunu said.

KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli went to the scene on Saturday, alongside deputy police commissioner Major General Phumelele Makoba. 

Ntuli said they needed to address the issue of illegal firearms and ammunition aggressively. He said this cannot be solely the responsibility of the police; it requires active participation from the community. Therefore, they needed to encourage more people to get involved in community policing. 

“We can only end this kind of crime when members of society play their role to report to the police,” Ntuli said. 

“When the perpetrators are still not in cells, they are still living free, the community will continue living in fear, that is why it is important that the police and community must work tirelessly to ensure that these perpetrators are arrested.”

Ntuli also highlighted infrastructural improvements, such as installing high-mast lights, which could deter criminal activities at night, enhancing overall community safety.

He said they would engage with the eThekwini Municipality on other service delivery issues. 

Ntuli said settlement residents said they had been promised relocation and adequate housing.

EFF KZN chairperson Mongezi Twala said the incident exposes the urgent need for decisive state intervention to protect the lives and livelihoods of people. 

The party urged the national and provincial governments to provide KZN with increased personnel, forensic resources, and specialised units to effectively combat widespread violence and dismantle dangerous gangs like the “West Gang”.

“The EFF in KwaZulu-Natal will pursue every available mechanism such as legislative, legal and community-based to ensure that justice is neither delayed nor denied,” Twala said. 

“The blood of our people cannot be allowed to spill with impunity,” Twala said, expressing confidence in the capabilities of KZN police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to deliver justice swiftly.

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za

Source link