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Eight people killed in Taylors Halt, KZN over suspected feud
KZN provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula has condemned the murders and further called on communities to not resort to violence as a way to deal with disputes
Image via Adobe Stock
As many as eight people have been gunned down in what the South African Police Service (SAPS) in KwaZulu-Natal has described as brutal.
In two separate incidents, the victims were killed over what police suspect was a feud in Taylors Halt on Wednesday, 26 August 2020.
In the first incident, gunmen are said to have opened fire on four men who were repairing a vehicle. The perpetrators were shooting from inside their own car and fatally wounded three of the victims.
“The victims are aged between 33 and 37. The fourth victim who was injured during the shooting managed to escape and was taken to hospital for medical attention. The deceased were identified as Sbonelo Ndawo (33); Lawrence Zondi (33) and Ayanda Sishi (37)”, said SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker in a statement on Thursday, 27 August 2020.
Just hours after the men were killed, a family of five was accosted by unknown suspects who also opened fire on them. The victims, four women and one child, were killed inside their home.
Police said just a kilometre away from the scene, a bakkie with bullet holes was found stationary on the road facing oncoming traffic.
“It was established that the driver (25) of the bakkie was taken to hospital after he was shot and wounded. The deceased were identified as Dingeni (70); Zodwa (61); Thobeka (24); Sphelele (12) and 16-month-old Thandolwethu Nxele. Charges of murder and attempted murder were opened for investigation at Taylors Halt SAPS”, Naicker said.
Dedicated team to investigate murders
KZN provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula has condemned the killings and further called on communities to not resort to violence as a way to deal with disputes.
“It is very disturbing to learn that eight people were killed in such a brutal manner during two separate incidents at Taylors Halt yesterday”, Jula said.
“Information at hand indicates that these incidents could be because of a longstanding feud in the community. We once again appeal to our communities to refrain from using violence to address conflicts”, he added.
Jula said they had visited the area and were disturbed by what they heard. The commissioner has instructed that additional deployments be brought into the area to deal with rampant crime.
“I have also directed that a dedicated investigation team hit the ground running and to work none stop until the culprits responsible for these callous murders are brought to book”, he concluded.
