The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni yesterday, 08 October 2021, visited the Shiba family and also engaged with oDushwini community leadership and members after four family members, including a 9- month-old baby were shot, killed and burnt to ashes in oDushwini, KwaNongoma.
MEC Nkonyeni visited the Shiba family to convey her condolences.
“I am so shattered by the level of cruelty that people can have. This tells us that we have a sick and angry society. I want to believe that no normal human being can do this. We will follow this case and ensure that perpetrators face the music. Our country is a country of law, therefore justice must be served for the Shiba family. I am pleased to see that our police wasted no time and arrested the murderers,” said Nkonyeni.
She committed that Government will assist the family with funeral arrangements.
“We also feel your pain, we will assist with the funeral arrangements. I will also engage the Forensic Laboratory to fast track the process of obtaining results. The longer they delay the longer the mourning process takes” said Nkonyeni.
Police confirmed that on Monday morning two suspects who were released on bail in connection with with a murder case of Mr Gumbagumba Shiba who was shot and killed in 2018, were on Tuesday arrested and remained in custody with a case of attempted murder, murder of (Siphiwe Shiba (17), his friend Sandile Mthombo (20), Ms Sinokwethemba Shiba (22) and his child Luvuyo) and arson. They are expected to appear before the Nongoma Regional Court on Wednesday, 13 October 2021 for further investigation.
Police also confirmed that the Zwane family house was set on fire and some of their livestock was shot and killed.
MEC Nkonyeni engaged the community members:
“I wish to extend my condolences to you for the Shiba tragedy. I urge each and everyone of you to be calm and allow justice to be served without any interference. We don’t want to witness family feuds and community conflicts,” said Nkonyeni.