Inanda families speak of anguish of drive-by shooting

Police Minister Bheki Cele at the home of Beatrice Dlamini, 75, who was one of three women killed in a drive-by shooting in Inanda. Picture: Anelisa Kubheka

Police Minister Bheki Cele at the home of Beatrice Dlamini, 75, who was one of three women killed in a drive-by shooting in Inanda. Picture: Anelisa Kubheka

Published Sep 14, 2021

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DURBAN - The news of a drive-by shooting that has led to the killing of three women in Inanda township in Durban has been received with shock by the Police Ministry.

On Saturday, a black Opel Corsa bakkie with five occupants opened fire at a group of people waiting outside a local primary school.

The act claimed the lives of Ncami Shange, 34; Beatrice Nzama, 60; and Philisiwe Jili, 37. Five people were injured and taken to hospital.

The Minister of Police Minister, General Bheki Cele, visited the families of the dead and the crime scene on Tuesday.

Deputy Minister Zizi Kodwa and Police Minister Bheki Cele leave the home of Philisiwe Jili who is one of three women killed in a drive-by shooting in Inanda. Picture: Anelisa Kubheka

“The pain you experience as the families narrates the story of their loss is different, when when you talking with them face to face.There is fear among the three families, the fear of the unknown, especially hearing from the Dlamini family that there are people firing guns at night.We had the provincial and district commissioners who will look into that,” said Cele.

According to police, the women had been with a group of people at the front gate of Buhlebethu Primary School when the bakkie drove by.

Deputy Minister of State Security Zizi Kodwa and Police Minister at the home of Ncami Shange who is one of three women killed in a drive-by shooting in Inanda. Picture: Anelisa Kubheka

Cele said the Shange family had expressed fear of what might happen during the funeral, “That the funeral might be attacked. The police are leading on the safety of the funeral. That fear will have to be stopped by arresting those responsible for the crime.

“We do have some form of data and information and we need to pursue that. We also need some visibility here in preparation of the funerals so that there can be a little comfort for people to know that they are safe.”

The boyfriend of Jili, Simnikiwe Makhanda, said he had lost the love of his life. He described Jili as a loving and caring person.

“It saddened me what had become of people. When I got to the school their bodies were still laying there uncovered with the police nearby. People were taking pictures and videos with their phones.

“When I go through social media, I come across these pictures and videos. It is heartbreaking because she has two children, who I am not sure if they have also seen the same pictures and videos.”

Daily News