Durban - The recent death of Nkosinathi Shezi, described as a “man of peace”, has sent shock waves in the community of Glebelands Men’s Hostel.
Shezi, 40, of Block 52, was involved in the peace and stability committee trying to foster peace at the hostel.
He was shot in uMlazi’s Mcwayizeni Road in V-section on Monday after attending a court case related to the killing of his friend, Bongani Hlophe, who was killed in his room in the hostel in October last year.
His neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous because he feared for his life, said peacekeeping efforts had been dealt a blow by Shezi’s killing because he was instrumental in bringing warring factions together.
“We thought the killings had stopped and everyone was working towards maintaining peace at the hostel, but obviously others had different motives.
“Shezi had managed to bring the two factions together. He realised the killings had to stop because it destroyed families. Everyone had started to believe peace was possible,” he said.
More than 100 people have died since the killings started.
A close friend of Shezi’s fiancée, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said Shezi had received death threats the day before going to court.
“I was horrified when his phone was answered by a police detective who said Shezi had been shot,” she said.
The friend added that she accompanied Shezi’s 29-year-old fiancée to identify the body the next day.
“We both broke down and cried. He had six bullet wounds to his head and his body was riddled with bullets. His mouth was covered in blood,” she said.
His fiancée will have to come to terms with losing the father of her 5-year-old son. Shezi leaves five children. He was buried yesterday in Nyavini, Highflats, on the South Coast.
The past week also saw the murder of two men in the Dalton Hostel in Durban.
Peace campaigner Mthembeni Thusi, of Ubunye Bamahostela, said they were concerned after the death of Sipho Nala on Sunday and Nkosinathi Sikhakhane on Wednesday.
He believes Sikhakhane was gunned down after he appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court as a suspect in Nala’s death.
Police spokeswoman Captain Nqobile Gwala said police were still investigating the motive behind the killings in both hostels.
“No arrests have been made in either incident,” Gwala said.
Sunday Tribune