Another business woman killed
Woman gunned down in front of her children
LETHIWE MAKHANYA
In a disturbing trend, Pietermaritzburg has witnessed a surge in brutal killings targeting women, leaving residents reeling in terror and disbelief.
In less than a month, three women have fallen victim to heinous acts of violence.
Just days ago, a 45-year-old businesswoman was ruthlessly gunned down in front of her own children, within the confines of her home in Dambuza, near Edendale, where she operated her business.
Intruders kicked down the door of Nokuthula Hlophe’s home on Tuesday night, forced her into her bedroom and demanded money.
She had none but offered them anything they wanted from her home. Instead, they shot her several times in front of her two daughters, aged 16 and 12.
uMgungundlovu District police spokesperson Sergeant Sifiso Gwala said around four suspects were involved, two who went into the home and one who was standing guard outside.
There was also a woman seen when they were fleeing the scene.
He said a case of murder has been opened at Plessislaer Police Station but no one has been arrested yet.
Earlier this week, The Witness reported the murder of a well-known paediatrician at Harry Gwala Regional Hospital, Dr Zamambo Mkhize.
Mkhize’s body was found stuffed into the boot of her car in Imbali J-Section on Friday night.
She was shot in the head and appeared to have been assaulted, as she had a bruised and swollen eye. Both her handbag and her cellphone were missing.
Snenhlanhla Dlamini (25) was shot dead during a 2.30 am robbery on March 17, in Alexandra Road, after leaving an inter-university social event held at the Harry Gwala Stadium.
She was a second-year Durban University of Technology (DUT) student.
Last week, another businesswoman, Nozipho Sithole, was shot dead at her tavern in Edendale by unknown people who pretended to be the customers.
Sithole was with one of her employees, preparing to close the tavern, when she was attacked.
Suspects took an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing the scene.
Earlier this week, Ian Rawlins was sentenced to 22 years imprisonment for the murder of his ex-wife Delana Rawlins, who he brutally murdered on the eve of Mother’s Day last year.
He pleaded guilty to the charge of the murder last week before judge Piet Bezuidenhout and admitted to shooting Delana multiple times in a fit of rage.
Meanwhile, Nolonwabo Fanaphi, a relative of Tuesday's victim, told The Witness that family and friends of Hlophe were devastated.
“This has hit us badly as the family. She was staying with her children, who are attending school, now what is going to happen to them?
She was a great help to the family. “We want to know why she was killed because she was a good person, full of jokes.
We want police to arrest the suspects, so that they can tell us why they did it,” she said.
Hlophe’s friend, who asked not to be named, said they are still in shock following the incident and they do not understand why these criminals would kill someone who was just trying to earn a living from her small business.
She said Hlophe was running a small fast food business at home and she had recently started a laundry service washing clothes for people at a charge.
“What is most shocking is that they killed her while her children were present.
“How could someone be so cruel?
“She was a lovely person who was always laughing.
“She never liked violence and when she had a problem with you, she would call you so that it could be resolved.
“I am so devastated, I do not even know what to do or what to say.
“She was such a beautiful soul,” said the distraught friend.
Dambuza ward councillor Sbongumusa Zuma said the community is reeling from shock.
He said he does not understand why she was killed but he is hoping that the law will take its course.
“Such brutality in front of the children is shocking.
“We have contacted [the Department of Social Development] to assist us with counselling because the children are traumatised.
“It has been a while since we had an incident like this in the area, since we have private security.
“We wish that police could [be more visible] as well to prevent other incidents like this from happening,” he said.
Elton Adkins from Men Fighting Against Domestic Abuse said it is very worrying as these brutal killings are getting worse.
"It is time that everyone speak up and do something about this.
Men are encouraged to fight this. We cannot continue being held hostages by violence.
Everyone needs to take a stand as no one is supposed to live in fear,” he said.