Lungani Zungu
Two people were found dead with gunshot wounds two days apart at the Umlazi T section, famously known as the Umlazi 17 hostel.
On Monday, hostel dwellers discovered a deceased person with what appeared to be gunshot wounds in the upper body, according to the residents.
The victim is a man estimated to be in his early 30s.
While residents were still reeling from that, another body was found on Wednesday morning in a veld near the hostel.
This sent shockwaves across the hostel, which houses thousands of people who are predominantly IFP supporters.
Both men are unknown by hostel dwellers.
Community forum leader Themba Mshazi suspects the killings were the result of botched muggings.
“These two people are not known by anyone here in the hostel. Even though our hostel is very big, these people would be known by some people here if they were hostel residents,” said Mshazi.
He said the two slain men might have been passing through the hostel on their way to the neighbouring Umlazi Q sections from the KwaMnyandu train station when they met their tragic fate.
A hawker who traded at the train station said the man who was found dead on Monday was lying in the foetal position.
“I thought that maybe he was drunk and ended up sleeping outside, but when we got closer to him, we noticed that he was dead,” said the hawker, who did not want to be named.
A resident, Mandla Mthembu, fears for his life.
“We don’t know what is happening. But this is scary. Seeing two people dead in the space of three days is frightening.”
Police said they are investigating the murders and urged people who may have information to go to the police.
Pictured above: Umlazi T hostel residents held a meeting on Wednesday after the discovery of two dead bodies.
Picture source: Lungani Zungu
