KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli visited the KwaMakhutha area on Wednesday morning following a mass shooting that occurred on Tuesday night, leaving residents shaken and fearful. The shooting resulted in the deaths of 11 people, including a pregnant woman, and three others were wounded. Ntuli stated that residents had raised concerns about the prevalence of guns and drugs in the area, which the provincial government would work with police to address.
According to police, 14 people were attending a gathering inside a house when three armed men arrived and opened fire. The victims included 13 men and a woman. Three people were wounded in the attack and transported to hospital, where one later died, bringing the death toll to 11. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police had launched a manhunt for the suspects and were following up on leads.
Ntuli said that the community was in fear and reported a problem with guns and drugs in the area. He stated that the provincial government would closely follow the police investigation, adding that if it was a drug-related territorial issue, those responsible must be arrested. The premier's comments came amid other violent incidents in the province, including a shooting in Inanda where two people were killed on Tuesday.
Authorities had been informed that criminals were allegedly hijacking houses to use as bases for their activities. Ntuli urged residents to work with law enforcement and report suspected criminal activity, emphasizing that cooperation between communities and police was essential to curbing crime. He also stated that the provincial government would work with police to establish what led to the attack.
Colonel Robert Netshiunda said that preliminary investigations indicated that some victims were known to Crime Intelligence in connection with alleged illegal activities. The police were still investigating the motives behind the shooting and had not ruled out a drug-related territorial feud. The community remained fearful and anxious, awaiting the outcome of the investigation.
The KwaMakhutha shooting was one of several violent incidents to occur in the province recently. Ntuli's visit to the area was aimed at providing support to the community and assuring them that the government was taking the situation seriously. He emphasized the need for cooperation between communities and law enforcement to address the root causes of crime.
The police manhunt for the suspects continued, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward. The community was still reeling from the shock of the mass shooting, and efforts were underway to provide support to the families of the victims. An investigation into the shooting was ongoing, with police working to determine the motives behind the attack and identify those responsible.
Key points
- The possibility of a drug-related territorial feud is being investigated as a motive for the KwaMakhutha shooting.
- KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli visited the area and urged residents to cooperate with law enforcement.
- The police have launched a manhunt for the suspects and are following up on leads.
