DURBAN - Inkosi Hlanganani Biyela, chairperson of the King Cetshwayo Local House of Traditional Leaders, was assassinated by gunmen outside his home in Ndlangubo area, Eshowe, on Saturday.
In a statement, MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka condemned the killing and called for law enforcement to double their efforts to find those responsible.
Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele confirmed the incident.
“Inkosi Hlanganani Cameron Biyela, 54, of KwaMpukane Royal house at Ndlangubo area, Eshowe, was shot dead upon arrival at home. It is alleged that the deceased came home and parked his vehicle near his house. It is alleged that gunshots were heard a number of times and when family members came out, they found him on the ground with his firearm cocked and magazine emptied.”
Mbele added that the deceased had gunshot wounds and died on the scene and a case of murder was being investigated by police.
“A number of empty cartridges of a pistol and blood was found on the scene. When searching the crime scene, it was noticed that the suspect(s) cut the fence at the back entrance to exit. Blood stains were noticed throughout the premises. Nobody was able to identify the suspects.”
Hlomuka said that the House of Traditional Leadership was still mourning the loss of Ibambabukhosi Mzomuhle Zondi last week and now had to deal with the assassination of Inkosi Hlanganani Biyela.
“The news of the assassination comes as the institution of traditional leadership mourns the loss of Ibambabukhosi Mzomuhle Zondi, 24, of the Zondi Traditional Council under the Nkandla Local Municipality who was killed by unknown gunmen at his home on November 10.”
Hlomuka added that law enforcement needed to ensure that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes were apprehended.
“As the provincial government, we are concerned about the killings that are threatening to destabilise the institution of traditional leadership in our province. In less than a week, we have lost two amakhosi in the King Cetshwayo district. We are calling upon community members to be part of efforts to root out rogue elements that are hell-bent on plunging the institution of traditional leadership into chaos.”
Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza, chairman of the KwaZulu-Natal House of Traditional Leaders, passed his condolences to the family of Inkosi Hlanganani Cameron Biyela.
“We want to convey especially to law enforcement that they must work tirelessly to ensure that all perpetrators are brought to book because this is enough we can't tolerate such things where amakhosi are murdered. We appeal to all the communities, all those who have information to bring the information to the police so the perpetrators can be brought to book.”
THE MERCURY