Three women and two children from a village about 20km outside Mthatha were brutally gunned down in separate incidents over the past two months.Survivors have all shared the same story – the attacks were carried out by two suspects who arrive at night, kick down the door of the house and fire multiple shots at their victims before fleeing.
Villagers say the victims were accused of practising witchcraft before being murdered.
The latest killings have brought to eight the number of people killed in Ndibela Village near Bityi in the past six years.
The Saturday Dispatch e-mailed questions regarding the shootings to provincial police headquarters on Wednesday this week but no response had been received at the time of writing.
However, Mthatha police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said no arrests had been made.
In the latest incident, 59-year old mother of seven Ntuzana Velaphi from Ndibela Village died after being shot seven times while sleeping with her three daughters aged 12, 17 and 21 on October 23.
Her daughter, Pamela, 21, said the suspects had knocked at intervals of five minutes followed by a “big bang” when the family didn’t open.
“When they were inside I stood up next to the table. When my mother stood up they shot her . She screamed and never spoke again.
“My youngest sister ran after the killers in shock but they told her to go back. I still get flashbacks,” said Pamela.
Velaphi will be buried today.
Less than a kilometre away lies the freshly dug grave of Nokholeji Thekwana Fuba, 69, who was buried two weeks ago.
Police recovered six 9mm cartridges from her house after two men forced their way in while she was sleeping and opened fire. She died of gunshot wounds.
In mid-September, 70-year old Nominithi Booi and her 14-year old granddaughter Lulamela were found lying in a pool of blood after being shot under similar circumstances.
Booi’s 11-year old grandson, Vuyo, was hospitalised after being shot in the head and later succumbed to his injuries.
The murders have sent shock waves through the quiet village and left many elderly women wondering if they were next.
Other elderly victims from the same village include Soyiyo Booi, Mamyirha Gqombozana and Nombuthuma Masango.
All three women lived near one another and were shot dead in 2009. Today, Gqombozana’s dilapidated home is an empty shell.
The families of the deceased have given up hope of the perpetrators ever being brought to book. Sisoyiyo Booi’s daughter, Nomvuzo said her father suffered a mental breakdown after his wife, a mother of four, died.
Velaphi’s relative Makhosonke Dzedze, 70, said the root causes of witchcraft accusations were hate and jealousy.
“For example if there is someone who has died in a car accident, they point fingers at those women they hate and that’s how the rumours get fuelled,” he said.
Dzedze said they could not risk their lives by pointing out suspects.
Killers stalk village in hunt for ‘witches’
Survivors have all shared the same story – the attacks were carried out by two suspects who arrive at night, kick down the door of the house and fire multiple shots at their victims before fleeing.
Villagers say the victims were accused of practising witchcraft before being murdered.
The latest killings have brought to eight the number of people killed in Ndibela Village near Bityi in the past six years.
The Saturday Dispatch e-mailed questions regarding the shootings to provincial police headquarters on Wednesday this week but no response had been received at the time of writing.
However, Mthatha police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said no arrests had been made.
In the latest incident, 59-year old mother of seven Ntuzana Velaphi from Ndibela Village died after being shot seven times while sleeping with her three daughters aged 12, 17 and 21 on October 23.
Her daughter, Pamela, 21, said the suspects had knocked at intervals of five minutes followed by a “big bang” when the family didn’t open.
“When they were inside I stood up next to the table. When my mother stood up they shot her . She screamed and never spoke again.
“My youngest sister ran after the killers in shock but they told her to go back. I still get flashbacks,” said Pamela.
Velaphi will be buried today.
Less than a kilometre away lies the freshly dug grave of Nokholeji Thekwana Fuba, 69, who was buried two weeks ago.
Police recovered six 9mm cartridges from her house after two men forced their way in while she was sleeping and opened fire. She died of gunshot wounds.
In mid-September, 70-year old Nominithi Booi and her 14-year old granddaughter Lulamela were found lying in a pool of blood after being shot under similar circumstances.
Booi’s 11-year old grandson, Vuyo, was hospitalised after being shot in the head and later succumbed to his injuries.
The murders have sent shock waves through the quiet village and left many elderly women wondering if they were next.
Other elderly victims from the same village include Soyiyo Booi, Mamyirha Gqombozana and Nombuthuma Masango.
All three women lived near one another and were shot dead in 2009. Today, Gqombozana’s dilapidated home is an empty shell.
The families of the deceased have given up hope of the perpetrators ever being brought to book. Sisoyiyo Booi’s daughter, Nomvuzo said her father suffered a mental breakdown after his wife, a mother of four, died.
Velaphi’s relative Makhosonke Dzedze, 70, said the root causes of witchcraft accusations were hate and jealousy.
“For example if there is someone who has died in a car accident, they point fingers at those women they hate and that’s how the rumours get fuelled,” he said.
Dzedze said they could not risk their lives by pointing out suspects.
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