Woman gunned down in Mpophomeni

Mpophomeni residents are shaken by the rise of crime in the township and have called for urgent intervention from law enforcement.

On Tuesday, August 30, Nokuphiwa Mpungose was walking home at around 7.30pm when she was shot by unknown men in Korea section.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo, said Mpophomeni SAPS are investigating a case of murder but the motive for the shooting is unknown.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mpungose’s son, Siyabonga Mpungose, said they are still trying to come to terms with what happened.

Siyabonga said Mpungose was walking home with other people when she was approached by two men who asked her to confirm her name and asked to speak to her.

“We were told that the men said they wanted to talk to her about something that was bothering them.”

When she stopped to listen to what they wanted to say, they took out a gun and shot her twice — in the head and chest. She was only about 200 metres from her house.

Siyabonga said he got a call telling him what happened and he rushed to the scene. He said they took her to Mpophomeni Clinic, where she died.

Siyabonga said they are still shocked at how they lost their mother.

“She was also a breadwinner at home. She raised us … and has now left us with our grandmother. What’s saddening is that she wasn’t a violent person and didn’t have any enemies. I don’t think I’ve ever been this hurt. My mom didn’t even have businesses,” he added.

A resident, who asked not to be named, said the township is getting dangerous and they wish there was more police visibility.

“We hear gunshots being fired almost every night.”

The resident added that there are also frequent break-ins.

“As a woman living alone with children, I’m getting scared. Hearing of how Mpungose was murdered,

I’m sad, shocked and furious at our law [enforcers], and hope our safety will someday be made a priority.”

Other residents agreed and called for more police visibility in the township.