KWT mom shot dead at home

Tragedy struck an Eastern Cape family when their 57-year-old mother was gunned down in her home.

Nokiza Sibefu, a mother and grandmother, died in Life St Dominic’s Hospital in East London on Monday following the Sunday night attack.

Sibefu, a nurse by profession, was alone at her Phakamisa home when a suspected gunman entered and shot her in the stomach.

News of her shooting and death not only shocked family and friends, but health MEC Dr Phumza Dyantyi too, who said she was saddened by the news.

Neighbours who spoke to the Dispatch said they heard two gunshots after 9pm on Sunday.

Sibefu lived with a domestic helper, but she had accompanied Sibefu’s eldest daughter and grandchildren to the switching on of the festive lights in King William’s Town.

A neighbour, who asked not to be named fearing for her life, said: “Just after I heard the gunshots, I heard her calling for help. I came out and she was still walking and she asked me to call for help saying she had been shot.”

The neighbour said she was hesitant, not sure if the gunman was still on the scene.

She said Sibefu responded: “He is gone. Please call for help”.

“As injured as she was, she still managed to walk from her yard and later she collapsed. She did not have the energy anymore and she was crying.

“We called for help and eventually the police came after hours of struggling to get hold of them and they were the ones who went inside the house,” the neighbour said.

Sibefu was first rushed to Grey Hospital in KWT and later transferred to Life St Dominic’s Hospital.

Police spokeswoman Lieutenant Siphokazi Mawisa said the motive behind the shooting was unknown.

“Her wallet was taken from her and the police have learnt that it was found in Ndevana by a young man who gave the wallet to a community police forum member.

“The member alerted the police about the development. We are investigating a murder case and no arrests have been made yet.”

Sibefu’s distraught daughter Yandisa Madikane, who could not hold back her tears, said she had spoken to her mother on the phone before she was shot.

“On Sunday I spoke to her on the phone and she told me of how tired she was; she had just came back from church. My dear mother, why was she killed in this manner,” Madikane said.

Sibefu died at Life St Dominic’s at around 7am on Monday. Madikane said her mother died before being able to provide any information on who shot her.

“That is what kills us most. She did not even give us a clue. From inside the house it was clear that she wrestled with the killer because some things were not in their place and there was blood smeared around,” Madikane said.