UMLAZI hostel remained on a knife edge yesterday, following the death of a 59-year-old woman, the shooting of two residents and the torching of houses, as violence flared between warring IFP and NFP factions.
It’s believed that Cingiwe Margaret Mthethwa had a heart attack after seeing her neighbour’s house go up in flames, following an attack by a marauding mob. She collapsed in her bathroom and died shortly afterwards.
“We believe she had a heart attack,” said Mthethwa’s daughter Nonkanyiso Ndlovu.
The hostel, in the township’s T-section, is historically an IFP stronghold. However, some of its residents have broken away and joined Zanele KaMagwaza-Msibi’s National Freedom Party.
It was unknown whether the attacks stemmed from the recent attack on a female NFP member, who was assaulted for wearing pants – which is historically a contentious issue in the hostel precinct.
Tensions between the warring factions were laid bare when NFP members sang anti-IFP songs, and after a delegation led by kaMagwaza-Msibi visited mourners at Mthethwa’s home.
The police kept a close watch on a group of IFP supporters who stood about 100m away, brandishing sticks, spears and knobkerries and chanting anti-NFP songs.
NFP ward councillor Hloniphani Dube said violence erupted on Friday night, after IFP supporters went around telling people to attend a meeting.
“They were whistling, singing and firing shots, ordering people to attend a meeting. The meeting ended at 11pm and, just before 4am, they were going into people’s homes, assaulting them, destroying furniture and burning homes. About 30 were burnt.”
Dube said he had gone to call the police when the mob arrived at his home and broke windows.
Another resident, Smangele Nkwanyana – originally from Eshowe – said she had hidden under her bed while her shack was being burnt.
“They came inside and beat me up. When they were leaving, one of them said that my house must be burnt. They waited for a while to ensure I was inside when it burnt. Fortunately, I managed to escape after they had left.”
As tensions mounted yesterday, KaMagwaza-Msibi condemned the violence and urged her supporters not to retaliate.
“As the people of KZN, we have come from a history of political violence that left widows and orphans and destroyed our land. I abhor it that something like this could happen.”
KaMagwaza-Msibi, a former national chairperson of the IFP, said it was not a sin for people to join the party of their choice.
“It is disgusting that 18 years into our democracy, people are still being victimised for their political beliefs. I thank you for having the courage of standing up and for continuing to support the party. But I urge you not to go and pay revenge for what has happened.”
KaMagwaza-Msibi also turned her attention towards the police. “I have heard that while people were burning the homes, the police were following behind and did nothing. That is unacceptable and the police must do their jobs.”
Police spokesman Col Jay Naicker said two people had been shot and one had been assaulted.
“Police deployments are currently in place and the situation is quiet, but tense. Umlazi police are investigating cases of assault, attempted murder, malicious damage to property and public violence. Detectives are trying to establish the identities of perpetrators.
“Police management are currently working together with community leaders to establish the source of the violence, so that the community’s concerns can be addressed and peace restored to the area.”
Responding to allegations that some police officers stood by during the attacks, Naicker said those aggrieved were welcome to lodge complaints, which would be investigated.
Naicker said police officers from the Public Order Unit would maintain their presence in the area until the situation had stabilised.
Several IFP leaders, including provincial caucus leader Blessed Gwala, spokesman Joshua Mazibuko and MP Velaphi Ndlovu, could not be reached for comment yesterday.