Sponsored Links:
Independent Newspapers
Five children, including a nine-month-old, and three adults were murdered in yet another horrific family killing in Durban on Monday morning.
Police at the scene in Mpola, near Mariannhill, said they believed the eight – seven from one family – were shot before the killers locked the house and set it alight. It is not yet known if they were still alive.
The bodies of Coshela Mabhida, 48, his children Sindi 25, Andiswa, nine months, Njabulo, 9, Sphesihle, 7, Owami, 6, and the children’s grandmother Angelina, 58, were found in a corner of the house.
Police also discovered the body of Nelisiwe Khumalo, 16, who had been visiting the household.
Police spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Vincent Mdunge, said it was believed that the family was shot just before 5am.
“We believe they were locked in the house before it was set alight. We found fuel containers and matches at the crime scene.”
Coshela’s brother, Bhekizwe Njapha, was told shortly after 5am that his brother and the family had been murdered.
He drove from his home in Umbumbulu to the scene, arriving at 10am.
“All the way here I was thinking of what they went through.”
“I am traumatised and feel very helpless right now because I don’t know who would want to do this to my brother and his family, as he was such a humble man.”
Njapha said his brother worked for Durban Solid Waste.
Residents would only speak to the media if their identities were protected.
A man in his sixties knew the family and described them as nice people: “I don’t know who would want to kill them. We are going to have many sleepless nights because we could become targets.”
An elderly woman who lives a kilometre away was crying, and said
she was concerned other families in the area might be targeted.
A third resident said she could not understand how those responsible for the murders could take the lives of children.
“I have lived here for many years and did not think this would ever happen here.”
Police have yet to establish a motive for the murders or the number of suspects being sought.
Mdunge said: “National commissioner Bheki Cele is on his way to Durban after he was informed of the killings.”
He said there was nothing to suggest links to recent family murders in the area.
Police cordoned off the area, although crime scene investigators were seen outside the house, which is isolated from those around.
Mpola is a few kilometres from Shongweni, where in October five people, including an eight-year-old boy and a two-year-old girl, were killed, a 13-year-old raped and her pregnant sister shot in the stomach.
A few days later four people were killed in another family murder in nearby Mariannhill.
The only man to stand trial for the Shongweni massacre claimed in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court last week that he had been coerced by police into confessing to the murders. He may not be named until he pleads on the rape charge.
It is alleged that he and brothers Philani and Bhejane Nxele killed Sthembiso Nxusa, 29, shot his pregnant girlfriend and raped her 13-year-old sister. The men then allegedly moved to another home, where they shot dead five people.
Police believe the three were also responsible for the murders of four people in Mariannhill. However, the man has not been charged with those crimes. The Nxele brothers were killed by the police. - Daily News
) and select "Flag as inappropriate". Our moderators will take action if need be.
Simoné, wrote
Would someone be so kind as to explain to me .... HOW THE HELL DOES RACISM AND APARTHEID AND ALL THAT OTHER CRAP everyone is talking tryin' to justify this, fit into this crime???? Nowhere in the above article is race mentioned, black, white, ANC or any other political party or ethnic, racial or cultural comments!? Get over yourselves, SA's. Everything is not always about Black & White....IGNORANCE!!
modis operandi, wrote
There was a comment previously which stated that we must go and read the law. I think the law needs to read us. Need should always be above creed. Our 'civil' society focuses on creed rather than need and we're reaping the 'non-benefits' of it. The system itself is a dismal failure. Laws don't vote, the people do and if the people really do govern then where's the Death Penalty for these capital crimes? Huh!
pantsula, wrote
Dodgy Politicians and weak political structures and sytems are the reason we are in a crime abyss with no apparent way out. Some people thrive under these harsh conditions. Think about it - more crime, more risk, more insurance, more business, more sales, more corruption, more vice, more criminals, more chaos, more opportunity to control the masses, more power... What is needed is stronger family values which will build better communities. Education and equal opportunities for the poor, which contrary to what many think, has left many black people in the new SA with sweet nothing. Even if they voted DA they would still get nothing. They are the poor they get nothing by default in a capitalist system. The killing of this family is an outrage and indeed a shame on our bloodthirsty society.
vuvuzela, wrote
This hideous crime is totally unacceptable and it seems that it is becoming the norm of late. Whole families wiped out? Something is very wrong in our society. KZN as we all know is a known violent province and taxi violence, tribal violence, political violence and criminal violence are all part of our daily lives. If govshop still holds back on Death Penalty then either they need the criminal votes or are themselves controlled by other forces that need these atrocities for shock crowd control tactics. This intentional turning a blind eye is an indicator of how 'unsafe' all of us are. FIFA iron curtain world cup 'safe SA' as we all know was a farce. No One was really secure during that time. It was an airport to stadia world cup for visitors. The rest of the country was always still beseiged with criminal vermin even within the police force. Firstly, blacks and whites are equally all at risk. Secondly, soft targets: communities or people groups who are non-aggressive and perceived to have more wealth and where criminals can easily commit crime and get away. That 'white' guy that ran to Canada has a valid point except even black people are at high risk of been killed or targeted for crime. It is a fact therefore that the state isn't on top of things and has no control. Gov and judiciary are nincompoops and spineless cowards to have no capital sentences for these capital crimes. Instead they work in cohoots with prison gangs to terrorise doppers who drive while the militias operate freely.
Vote No, wrote
With no law in the country, people commit crime with such ease. Only 6% of murders serve a sentence in SA. Just another fact of how usless the ANC are at governing.
Heks, wrote
We are supposed to be a civilized country! This is the pits. we don't need things like this happening, Wish I could emigrate.There are definitely better places to stay
TRUE S.AFRICAN, wrote
I AM SHOCKED AND I COULD NOT RECOVER FROM THE SHOCK. I AM ASHAMED ITS ALL HAPPENING WHEN OUR FATHER OF NATIONS MR MANDELA IS LIVING TO SEE ALL THIS. UNLESS YOU BRING THE DEATH PENALTY, THIS WILL NOT STOP OUR BLACK BROTHERS ARE DYEING LIKE A FLEAS TO THE HANDS OF CRIMINALS.OUR PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA SHOULD DO SOME THING, HE SHOULD BRING THE DEATH PENALTY.
Anonymous, wrote
This will get to happen more, for every white been killed somewhere two or more blacks will die. And thats why the taxies must stay on the roads to help with the numbers!!
Lala, wrote
You have got to be kidding me Anonymous You sound very ignorant S.A. is drowning in violence and you speak like you've been around the world. Yes there is crime in other parts of the world but none like in S.A. Take a look at facts and you'll see S.A. has more murders than Iraq and Afganistan and those are war zones so don't come speak c**p as if you in the know. You should be appaulled, ashamed and upset that someone would kill a 7 & 6 year old and disgusted that anyone would harm an innocent 9month old who wouldn't even be able to witness seeing anything.I feel sad for this country and no I can't accept the country the way it is. Unfortunatly my standards and expectations are way to high for people like you Anonymous. So sad that this crime doesn't shock you!!
Dino, wrote
We came here 2 years ago for the rainbow nation and our family, we builded a company, employed others. Now we thinking going back. Sick country!!
Anonymous, wrote
How very sad, what are parents teaching their children to do when they're growing upgrown up? What kind of adults are we producing?
Anonymous, wrote
Dear Citizens, South Africa is not the only country with crime so dont make unnecessary noise about this killings and rapes.No country in the world is clean of crime. Lets accept our country the way its.
mike358, wrote
Sickening that kids were caught up in the mess. Just shows there is no regard for life in SA. The simple fact is the ANC were in no position to take over the reins of this country in 1994. Many under handed people Black and White (the kebbles etc) have taken full advantage of this. Its simple fact. Crime and corruption is the order of the day in SA. The more I think about it there is no hope, imagine the DA took over and started kicking out Police commissioners who have not performed like the Pinetown one ... the first thing that would blow up would be racism. How on earth can this place be fixed????? Look at the sushi king and his white mates who have taken from the poor and given nothing in return. They should all be hung .. murderers, rapists and people involved in corruption. Imagine that we would lose 90 percent of the ANC in one swoop. What hope does the poor black man on the street have in SA ???? the truth is very very very little and apartheid gets blamed for everything, instead of looking forward and making plans to build the country we look back all the time. Sickening!! Read an interersting article the other day shows how the black population grew from around 3 - 4 million in the 1930s to 50 + million today. 20 000 people were killed during apartheid but these days 50 people die a day. WHAT HOPE AS HUMAN BEINGS DO WE HAVE??? THE ANIMAL KINGDOM IS NOT EVEN THIS BAD TO ITS OWN KIND!!!!!
Toni Tony Tone, wrote
what has that marsupial steve hofmeyer has to say about this? Nothing because crime apparently in his world only happens to white people. CRIME HAS NO COLOUR YOU HASBEEN
5 cents, wrote
A really sordid and sorry state of affairs. I hope Steve Hofmeyer and Botes are getting some perspective now. We should really cry our beloved country.
Disgusted, wrote
Simoné, wrote
Bring back the death penalty! I am ashamed, so ashamed, to be part of the human race as it stands now. Not even animals lowest in the food chain treat their own this way! Its disgusting!!
Juan, wrote
Typical barbaric mentality. They are just perpetuating the stereotype and behave exactly as we expect them to!
Alan, wrote
@Rush - I get your point about the young lives - but it's just as horrific for adults, men included, to lose their lives in any way due to criminal behavior. It is a sick society we live in. I always wonder, how do the parents and family of these thugs feel when their offspring siblings are found guilty of these heinous crimes? Sick, sick, sick! No, no death penalty for these kinds, not the 'normal' death penalty anyway. Hand them to the community!
jabu, wrote
OH PLEASE, POEPLE STOP THIS BRUTALITY, YOU ARE JUST GIVING THE OTHER DEWANIS A STADUIM OF DOING BAD THINGS LIKE THIS IN OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY.HOW CAN YOU KILL AN INNOCENT BABY LIKE THIS. UBULWANE ABUPHELE.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Services
Buying a car has never been easy. Motoring.co.za contains a large database of car listings with a user friendly search.
Start searching today »
Business Directory
You are here: IOL / News / South Africa / KwaZulu-Natal / 8 dead in horror family killing
We like to make your life easier
Mobile
Browse IOL on your phone at m.iol.co.za.
Newsletters
Subscribe to our newsletters. News delivered to your inbox!
