Man killed in land dispute
Senseless act brings shame on chief, says induna as tribal community reels in shock
THE SON of a former tribal councillor was shot dead during an alleged land dispute with a relative in the Mbutshane area near Hilton, outside Pietermaritzburg, last week.
The area under traditional authority is said to be prone to land conflicts, but a murder over a piece of ground was a first for the community.
A witness said an argument ensued when Leke Mthalane approached Chief Nsikayezwe Zondi’s relative who was digging in a piece of land allocated for cattle grazing. Mthalane confronted the man, claiming he was disturbing his ancestors’ graves which were nearby. The man allegedly pulled out his gun and shot Mthalane who died at the scene.
Mfiselwa Makhaye, induna in the area, said the incident was shameful and caused disappointment and hurt for the chief. He said to prevent similar brutal incidents in future, the families of perpetrator and victim as well as members of the community, needed to undergo a traditional cleansing.
Makhaye said the land had not been allocated to anyone, therefore both men should not have quarrelled over it.
“This is a disgrace and a shame to us. We have a council appointed by the chief and any differences or misunderstandings should be resolved using that channel. If you cannot handle matters on your own or through the traditional council, it’s better to report to authorities.
“This is a tragedy and we appeal to our people not to take matters into their own hands,” he said.
“People need to learn to respect each other and respect our traditions and customs. If you have been allocated land, there is no need to fight.” Thinasonke Ntombela, a member the Mbutshane, the Sweetwaters of traditional council, reiterated that no one was authorised to use the land but cattle. He said the perpetrator had no permission to break ground.
“I can confirm that there are graves in that portion of land and during the digging a grave had been disturbed. There has been an arrest and we are letting the law take its course,” he said.
“As the council, we will have an imbizo with the community to remind them of the respect expected towards each other and the chief and his council. We will also remind them of the processes and structures in place.”
Ntombela said the senseless death could have been avoided had the matter
LETHU NXUMALO
A REIGN of terror by alleged stock thieves in Amangwe near Estcourt has come to an end following the arrest of a group of suspects who left behind a trail of bodies.
Residents are breathing a sigh of relief after 10 suspects were arrested on Sunday by provincial police and were found in possession of an AK47, three 303 rifles, five pistols as well as 108 rounds of ammunition.
It is believed that the syndicate, under the leadership of an ex-convict who was recently released from prison, went on a killing spree while stealing stock from locals who were unable to report the crimes to the police who were suspected of colluding with the criminals.
Community members said homes went up in flames and taxi owners were put out of business when their vehicles were torched.
“They killed a man on Friday and on his night vigil they killed his grandson at a Johannesburg hostel,” a resident said. “Even now most people are hiding. Loskop is a ticking time bomb; nobody knows who is next.”
Another community member said since December, more than 10 people had been killed. She said thieves were helping themselves to farmers’ goats and cattle and these were taken to auctions and also sold to butchery owners.
She claimed that perpetrators were known to police, and that even when arrests were made, criminals were released back into the community and carried on with their business.
Speaking to a radio station, a community member said within a space of a week, five people had been killed, and another two had suffered the same fate that weekend. The two men were been reported governs the land.
Jabu Ngubo, ward councillor, said Mthalane had been buried yesterday. She said she did not have full details of what transpired but when she arrived at the scene, she saw his body.
“Disputes are usually mild and non-violent,” she said. “Land matters in rural areas are not the responsibility of ward councillors but the traditional authority. We need to sit down and remind our people about the protocols to obtain the chief’s land.”
Colonel Thembeka Mbele could not confirm the incident nor the arrest by Plessislaer police officers. to the chief who related to a another man who had been killed during that week.
“We don’t know if the criminals want to be in charge… people are afraid because if you report any of the thieves’ activities, you are killed. Police are not helping the community but they come here to collect corpses,” said the community member.
Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula, Kwazulu-natal provincial police commissioner, assembled a team of detectives comprising various units in the SAPS to investigate the violence in Amangwe. Jula said he was pleased with the positive results yielded by the operation.
“The firearms which were seized will be subjected to ballistic tests to determine if they were used in any of the murders and other crimes that were reported in that area,” he said.
Brigadier Jay Naicker, KZN police spokesperson, said the suspects, aged between 18 and 62, appeared in the Estcourt Magistrates Court.
“Suspects were charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition as well as for possession of dagga.
“Investigations into their reign of terror in the Amangwe area are continuing and detectives hope to charge them with additional crimes soon,” said Naicker.