Five people killed and 17 wounded, in suspected dispute between two villages

The ANC has condemned a weekend attack in which five people were killed and 17 wounded at Ngudwini, near Sundumbili, in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

“The ANC deeply deplores this brutal and barbaric killing and we appeal to the community to assist the police in tracking down the killers,” provincial spokesman Senzo Mkhize said on Monday.

Colonel Jay Naicker said a group of armed assailants attacked people attending a traditional function at the Khuzwayo homestead on Saturday afternoon.

“They opened fire on the group, fatally wounding five men and injuring 17 others. It is unknown at this stage what types of firearms were used,” Naicker said.

He said the motive for the shooting was not clear, and it was not linked to political violence.

Mkhize said the media had reported that a clash between two villages led to the killings.

“If the reports are true, we call on the two villages to resolve their differences through peaceful means, and not through the barrel of a gun.

“We also urge the affected village not to seek revenge and allow the police to do their job.” 

Mkhize commended provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Mmamonnye Ngobeni for setting up a special task team to investigate the attack.

“We are also happy that police reinforcements have been deployed in the area to monitor the situation to ensure that no further attacks occur,” he said.