INLSA
Four-year-old Phelelani Mkhize who survived a gunshot when five men attacked his family. Picture:Sandile Makhoba
Durban – An illegal firearm was confiscated from the Mkhize family by the police a week before gunmen raided the family’s homestead in Muden, near Greytown, killing six people, at the weekend.
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Major-General Mmamonnye Ngobeni confirmed on Monday the police had taken the gun and investigators were trying to establish if there was a connection between it and the fatal attack.
There have been allegations that the intention of the police raid was to disarm the family.
Family members have confirmed the police raided the homestead at midnight two weeks ago and took the weapon, which belonged to Tonqo Mkhize, one of those killed on Sunday morning.
“We are investigating the confiscation of the firearm and that it was not handed in where it was supposed to be,” said Ngobeni.
She and provincial deputy commissioner Major-General Mjabuliseni Ngcobo visited the family on Monday.
Five investigating officers, who accompanied the commissioners, took statements from survivors.
Witnesses said five men carrying rifles arrived at the homestead and shot dead six male family members.
Ngobeni said the police had several leads.
“We are here to take statements to corroborate information from informants.
“We will investigate until we find the perpetrators,” she said, adding that arrests were imminent.
A police guard would remain with the family until the killers were rounded up.
One of the family, Moses Mkhize, who survived the attack, said local residents had been accusing his family of stock theft.
But, he said, these allegations were from people who were jealous of their success in keeping goats and cattle. The family have 19 head of cattle and about 20 goats, which they sell to make a living. members of the family are unemployed.
“Instead of taking innocent lives, these people should have come to us to talk about their suspicions so we could explain to them how we become successful in keeping animals,” he said.
The Mercury
