The community of KwaMhlabuyalingana, located near the Mozambique border, is in a state of shock following the barbaric shooting of a 64-year-old man outside his homestead on Friday night. The man was renowned for his large family and polygamous lifestyle.
Mr. Mhlonipheni Mthethwa, the victim, was the father of over 60 children and the widower of ten wives. Mthethwa was ambushed by unidentified gunmen immediately after returning home from a family gathering, according to the police. He was proclaimed deceased at the scene after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.
Captain Thulani Zwane, the spokesperson for the KwaMhlabuyalingana police, has confirmed that a murder case has been opened and that investigations are currently proceeding to identify the perpetrators of the crime.
“It is purported that the victim was assaulted by two armed men as he walked towards his primary residence.” He was wounded multiple times in the upper body. The perpetrators escaped the location on foot and are currently unaccounted for. Zwane stated, “The reason for the murder is currently unknown.”
Mthethwa was known for his extensive household and strong traditional values, and he was a respected figure in the community, according to family members. He was reportedly a successful cattle farmer and community elder who frequently mediated family disputes and traditional matters in the region.
The family was unable to understand why anyone would target their father, according to one of his sons, who requested anonymity. He described the attack as “cruel and cowardly.”
“My father was not a violent individual.” He was of the opinion that disputes could be resolved through dialogue. The son stated that the perpetrator was aware of his routine and intended to ensure his death. He also mentioned that the family was concerned about their safety.
The tranquil rural settlement was shattered by the sound of gunfire in the late evening, which elicited panic in the adjacent households, according to neighbours who spoke with reporters. “We heard numerous gunshots, followed by a period of silence.” One resident recollected, “We discovered him lying on the ground when we hurried out.”
KwaZulu-Natal continues to be one of the provinces in South Africa that is most significantly impacted by violent crime, with rural murders, particularly in the northern region, on the rise.
Police have encouraged individuals who possess information regarding the incident to report it to the nearest police station or the Crime Stop hotline.
The investigation is ongoing, and Mthethwa’s extensive family is preparing for a funeral that is anticipated to be significant in scale, as it is indicative of the size of his household and his influence within the community.