Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

Police in KwaZulu-Natal are still searching for the killers of a tavern owner and three patrons on Saturday night.

Bulelani Ndokwana, 31, the owner of Mykonaz tavern at Georgedale, in Hammarsdale outside Durban, and the three patrons were shot dead when unknown assailants raided the popular 24-hour joint. The dead patrons were Sthembiso Chili, 22, Ntokozo Chamane, 23, and Sibusiso Dlomo, 26.

Captain Joshua Gwala said yesterday that police had not yet made any arrests.

Gwala could not confirm allegations by some residents that the dead, including the tavern owner, were criminals who were wanted by police.

"We don't have records implicating any of the deceased in any criminal activities," said Gwala.

However, a resident said the community did not feel sorry for the four dead people because they had been terrorising the community. He said Ndokwana was involved in criminal activities and was using the three dead patrons to carry out his "dirty work".

"He was not popular among the community because he had his gang. Fortunately they were all killed," he said.

The fact that there were many people in the tavern, but only the three were killed, substantiated his statement, he said.

Another resident, who was in the tavern during the shooting, said the community would now have peace.