Celani Sikhakhane
A group of gunmen who massacred six members of the Buthelezi family in Nquthu on Tuesday evening were taking revenge for a murder that took place in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni.
The armed men stormed a family cleansing ceremony in search of the eldest Buthelezi brother, who allegedly played a role in the Vosloorus murder last week.
A source close to the family revealed to Scrolla.Africa that the suspects came looking for Khulekani Bruno Buthelezi and opened fire on his family after demanding to be told his whereabouts.
“Bruno was seen at the Nquthu taxi rank on the Easter weekend. Therefore the attackers thought that they would find him at home since there was a cleansing ceremony that was performed to relieve the spirit of a family member who passed away a month ago,” said the source, who wished to remain anonymous.
“Unfortunately they didn’t find him. They then killed his parents, his aunt, his niece and two neighbours who were drinking alcohol there.”
Ncamsile Buthelezi, who survived the massacre along with her three-month-old baby, revealed that she managed to run when one of the killers was trying to shoot her father.
“They came here looking for Khulekani. When my mum was trying to tell them that it’s been a while since we’ve seen him, they shot her in the chest. They also shot the young boy she was carrying and they died on the scene,” she told Scrolla.Africa.
The victims of the shooting were 63-year-old Eunice Buthelezi, her four-year-old grandson Manqoba Buthelezi, Mboniseni Buthelezi and Ntombeziningi Gumbi, both 59, Siyabonga Khoza and Sinenhlanhla Khoza, who were both 29.
The killers also shot three boys who were not part of the Buthelezi family but who were walking on the road outside the house.
It is believed that the boys were caught up in the shooting as the gunmen made their way to the getaway vehicle.
Six people were killed in the shooting and three others are said to be in critical condition at Charles Johnson Nquthu Memorial Hospital.
Police confirmed that nothing was stolen during the attack.
Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala said that no arrests have yet been made but the investigation is still underway.
