By Celani Sikhakhane
The community of Mahlabathini in uLundi, northern KwaZulu-Natal, is living in fear after one of the local chiefs allegedly shot and killed his neighbour who was attending an event at the chief’s compound.
The once peaceful area has become violent in recent years, with growing bloodshed, after a tribal clash between the Zungu and Mlaba tribes over the control of the Zululand Anthracite Colliery known as Ukhukho.
Scrolla.Africa has learnt from community members that the murder of Phakamani Dubazane, 35, is giving them sleepless nights because his family is angry and is refusing to back down.
Dubazane was shot on Saturday while attending the ceremony of the maidens at the local chief’s compound. He was in attendance to partake in a rural traditional practice of offering gifts to the chief.
The happy ceremony came to a dramatic end when an altercation broke out, which resulted in the chief shooting Dubazane.
The victim was rushed to Ngwelezane Hospital but succumbed to his injuries on Monday.
The chief, whose name is known to Scrolla.Africa but cannot be revealed, has not yet been arrested.
“We are scared because this area is known for violence. The family of the victim is full of males who do not take any nonsense and have even turned away the delegation of that chief who came with R10,000 to apologise. They are very angry,” a source said.
A family member of the Dubazanes, who didn’t want to be named for safety reasons, said the father is furious and has told the chief’s delegates they must leave him alone to prepare for his son’s funeral.
The area is also known as a hotspot of guns and hitmen, which adds to the concerns of the community. Taxi violence is the order of the day in the area and is allied to the dispute over the control of Ukhukho mine.
“I don’t want my name to be published because I might be killed at any time. All I can say is that we are very angry that the chief has not yet been arrested,” the relation said.
“It is very painful to us because he went there to see the girl without any violence but he met his death.”
Police spokesperson Constable Thenjiwe Ngcobo confirmed that police are investigating the murder but said no arrest has been made.
Picture above: Phakamani Dubazane, who was allegedly shot by a local chief and died at Ngwelezane Hospital on Monday
Image source: Supplied
