Four family members were shot dead on Monday at Ezinhlongeni hamlet in Mfume, northern KwaZulu-Natal. This prompted a manhunt for at least five attackers.
According to Col Robert Netshiunda, a spokesman for the provincial police, at least five armed attackers broke into the house and started shooting at the 64-year-old father, his 60-year-old wife, their 32-year-old son, and their 19-year-old nephew.
According to Netshiunda, a neighbour who was wounded in the legs and taken to the hospital was thought to be the girlfriend of one of the deceased.
“Another son, who was sleeping in a separate house on the property, survived the shooting unscathed. The motive for the shooting has not been established though an intra-family feud could not be ruled out,” said Netshiunda.
He said this was the second incident in the same household in a year.
In 2022 the mother of the house sustained wounds during a shooting, and the matter is under investigation, said Netshiunda.
“Police are appealing to anyone who might have knowledge regarding the whereabouts of the suspects or information that can assist in the investigation to contact Amanzimtoti police, call Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or alert the police via the MySAPS app.”
