Family reeling from shock as jilted relative takes own life

Family reeling from shock as jilted relative takes own life

Sebenzani “Mbube” Sithole’s family in kwaHlabisa Township in Qubukani, northern KwaZulu-Natal, is left with questions after the 24-year-old man fatally shot himself.

The deceased’s brother, Mvuzeni Khanyile, says he was shocked when the mother of Sithole’s child called him in the middle of the night to inform him about the tragedy.

“When we got to Ximbakazi’s place – he had already passed on. We then called the police. We are shocked as we don’t know him as a person who had problems,” says Khanyile.

Sithole’s former girlfriend says it has been a while since they severed their relationship and she was not aware that he was in the area.

“I wasn’t shocked when he just appeared in the window of my bedroom because he was used to doing that,” she says.

“He first said I must shoot myself and I told him to be the one to do it. He then bumped both our heads and I went down. The next thing I saw the room changing colour to greenish. Then he just fell down,” Thando Sokhela adds. She says she had broken up with Sithole because she was tired of his abusive ways. – Report by Maputaland FM journalist, Nokubongwa Xaba.

Criminals target homes amid lockdown, says Mhlabuyalinga CPF

Criminals target homes amid lockdown, says Mhlabuyalinga CPF

The Mhlabuyalingana Community Policing Forum (CPF) has expressed concern over the increase in armed robberies at a time when people are being encouraged to stay home because of COVID-19. 

Deputy chairperson, Professor Xolani Zikhali, says in Mkhanyakude armed criminals sometimes pounce on people while at home and take whatever possessions they want.

“On the surface it seems like the crime rate is currently down. However, when you look at issues on the ground – people are bearing the brunt of criminal activities in communities,” he says.

 Prof Zikhali says drug abuse is sometimes behind the crimes. 

While acknowledging a decrease in car hijackings due to increased police visibility and the current curfew aimed at limiting movement as the country continues to battle COVID-19, Zikhali is worried about people who continue selling alcohol despite the current ban on sales.

“This leads to people breaking the curfew as they congregate at those places to drink.” 

Zikhali is urging community members to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols and stop breaking the law.