Acting KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa has paid her moving tributes in an emotional charged funeral service of six of the seven Khambule family who were brutally killed at Hlokozi area outside Highflats on 11 September 2024.
Six family members - Bahlakaniphile (64), Nompilo (34), Phillie (39), Siphosethu (10), Yonelisa (10) and Zemvelo (05). The Seventh victim - S'khulu Khambule was laid to rest in Mzumbe on Thursday. KaMadlopha-Mthethwa has called on the community members to work hand in hand with police in efforts to bring the perpetrators to book. She said, "Let's leave no stone unturned in our attempts to find the killers. I call on police and the community at large to work together and find the perpetrators of this crime. Those who commit such heinous crime need to be severely punished by the Justice system. Let's make KwaZulu-Natal a safer place to live in. We are concerned as the province of KwaZulu-Natal about the recent spate of crime and violence that has once again reared its ugly head. We are worried as well about the mass shootings of family members."
KaMadlopha-Mthethwa also issued a warning directed to the perpetrators of violence, "We will not tire in our efforts to stopping their criminal ways. Through collaboration with law-enforcement agencies, community and the police we will keep on fighting them until we win against this scourge. While the family, relatives, friends and the entire family feel this unbearable pain, I call for restraint. Let's allow police to play their part and trust in the police working with locals to arrest the perpetrators of this abhorrent acts. We have roped the police's special Unit to investigate this matter. We are also looking at a possibility of hosting a crime imbizo in the near future here in the Harry Gwala District."
The bodies of seven family members were all found in a living room where they were shot dead whilst watching TV. The community has called on the police to be tough on criminals.
For more information contact:
Mr Bongani Gina
Head of Provincial Government Communications
071 217 3037
or
Mr Lindelani Mbatha
Media Liaison Officer
061 499 0774.
ISSUED BY KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT