Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

Police in northern Zululand have launched a manhunt for unknown assailants who murdered two women near Mtubatuba.

Police spokesman Captain Jabulani Mdletshe said the women, Busangani Sibiya, 30, and Emmarentia Mthethwa, 49, were asleep when they were attacked and gunned down on Monday night.

"The women lived together and on Monday a friend came to visit and stayed the night.

"She shared the bed with Sibiya while Mthethwa slept on the sofa in the dining room," Mdletshe said.

"During the night, footsteps were heard outside the home and before Sibiya could investigate, shots were fired," said Mdletshe.

He said minutes later both Sibiya and Mthethwa were found dead.

"The visitor then went to the neighbours for help and the police were notified.

"When they arrived, the visitor told the police that she had not seen the attackers since it was dark," he said.

Mdletshe said a double murder case had been opened.

l Meanwhile, Eshowe police are investigating a case of culpable homicide after a four-year-old boy, Anele Mkhize, was killed when he was knocked down by a car while crossing the R66 on Monday night.

Police said Mkhize was crossing the road when two vehicles appeared.

"A van driver swerved as he tried to avoid a collision with the other car," a police spokesman said.

"He knocked down the child before colliding head-on with the on-coming motor vehicle."

Both drivers and a passenger sustained injuries.

"They were taken to the nearest hospital for treatment. Jaws of life were used to release one of the drivers," the police spokesman said.