Durban - Five people have been arrested for a brutal attack in which a toddler was hacked to death with a bush knife in rural KwaCeza in Zululand on Saturday night.
Vangeli Xulu, who was 18 months old, was killed alongside five other family members as a result of what is believed to be a feud between two families. His mother, Sukumile Sibiya, 16, who died in hospital on Sunday, was also hacked with a bush knife.
His aunt, Khululiwe Buthelezi, 30, was shot in the head and died while trying to escape the attackers.
His cousin Aphiwe Zondo, 6, grandmother Emma Zondo, 62, and grandfather Mpandlana Zondo, 73, were shot dead and the rondavel they were sleeping in was set on fire.
Bongimpilo Zondo, Buthelezi’s husband - who narrowly escaped the massacre - said they went to bed at about 7pm and at 9pm he was awoken by Buthelezi peeping through the window.
“When I asked why she was on her feet, she only said: ‘Are you still asking?’ and opened the door and ran for her life,” he said.
Zondo said when the attackers pursued his wife he made his way out of their home and headed for the induna’s residence to report that they were being attacked. When he got there, the induna said there was nothing he could do but report to the police.
Zondo then raced to his uncle’s home near the home of the induna, and told him about the incident.
“I could hear the gunshots, one after another. He tried phoning police, but they ran out of airtime,” he said.
Zondo went to his aunt’s home, where he asked for shelter.
“About 11pm I heard police vans going towards my home and I went back. When I got home there was no one. Everyone in the yard had been killed.”
A surviving member of the family, Nonhle Mthethwa, said the feud between the two families started when their nephew was assaulted by a man from the other family, suspected to have carried out the attack.
“There is a guy who killed the man who had assaulted my nephew and there were rumours that I had paid that guy for the murder.
“We even got an SMS threatening us. I told my family to go away and hide because I could see the threats were serious - but they did not,” she said.
Mthethwa is the daughter of the elderly Zondos who were killed. She said she was no longer sleeping at her house because of the threats.
“Although police have arrested the five suspects, there are others from that family still at large. I am scared they will come for me,” she said.
Police spokesman Shooz Magudulela confirmed the attack and the deaths. He said the family was attacked by at least five suspects.
“The motive for the killing is still under investigation. Five counts of murder and attempted murder have been opened at Ceza police station.
“A task team has been established to investigate. Five arrested suspects aged between 25 and 33 years will appear in the Mahlabathini Magistrate’s Court soon,” he said.
KZN Community Safety and Liaison MEC Willies Mchunu said the attack was “inhuman and callous”.