Celani Sikhakhane brings you KwaZulu-Natal’s latest news.
Eshowe: The Zulu martyr who was killed by the Zulu regiments for his Christian faith in Eshowe has been honoured by the KZN government. Maqhamusela Khanyile was once accused by the Zulu Kingdom of being a sellout who worked with whites so that they could invade the land of the Zulus. At some point, the late King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu accused Khanyile of working with whites to sell their ancestors to them. Speaking on behalf of the government, Economic Development and Tourism Minister Rev. Musa Zondi highlighted the role of Maqhamusela, who was killed on 9 March 1877 and is recognised as the first martyr in Sub-Saharan Africa. He emphasized the importance of correcting historical distortions, noting that it has often been claimed Maqhamusela was killed on the orders of King Cetshwayo. In truth, Maqhamusela served King Cetshwayo, and his legacy must be remembered with accuracy and respect.
Inanda: Two suspects who were wanted in connection with several cases of murder and attempted murder were shot and killed in a shootout with police at Mzomusha area, Newtown C Section in Inanda on Monday morning. Police were searching for at least five suspects, and during an operation which started just after midnight on Monday morning, two of the suspects were located in the Mzomusha area with the assistance of a drone. When police approached the house in which the suspects were hiding, a shootout followed which resulted in the two suspects, aged 20 and 25 years old, sustaining fatal gunshot wounds. Two firearms were found in the possession of the suspects. A search for the remaining suspects is ongoing.
Scottburgh: The Scottburgh Regional Court has sentenced a 30-year-old man to life imprisonment for the murder of his girlfriend in July 2024 in Mthwalume. The deceased and the accused were in a domestic relationship and had a child together. On 28 July 2024, the accused saw the deceased in the company of another man at a beach in the Hibberdene area. When the accused approached them, the man walked away, leaving the deceased with the accused. The accused confronted the deceased and told her she should be at home with their minor child instead of being at the beach. He believed that the deceased was involved in a romantic relationship with the man. Later that day, the accused and the deceased met each other again at a shebeen in the Mthwalume area. The accused once again confronted her and told her she should not be at the shebeen. The deceased left the establishment, but the accused followed her. When he caught up with her, he began assaulting her.
Pictured above:Zulu Royal family along with church leadership and KZN government honoured the first Sub-Saharan African martyr Maqhamusela Khanyile.
Image source: Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs
