A teacher and a mother shot dead and then set alight in KZN

Friday, February 2, 2024 – A teacher and mother were shot dead and then set alight in the Mthekwini area, in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday.

In a media statement issued by the Department of Social Development, the MEC, Nonhlanhla Khoza, expressed sorrow following the murder of the two women in Hluhluwe.

“The victims, Mabusi Manqele (41) a teacher from Hluhluwe, her daughter and her mother, Sarafina MaMkhize Manqele (78) fell prey to a brutal attack in the early hours of Thursday while asleep in their homestead,” said the statement.

It is alleged that the attacker[s] stormed in the homestead and opened fire on the three women, and then set alight their home. The deceased were burnt beyond recognition.

“The daughter, thankfully, survived being shot in the arm during the assault. Residents of Ward 11, under Big 5 Hlabisa Local Municipality, have witnessed several heinous murders targeting women, with the perpetrators still at large,” said the statement.

Khoza extended her heartfelt condolences to the grieving Manqele family, teachers, and community, urging individuals with information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators to bring it to the attention of law enforcement agencies.

Expressing deep concern about the ongoing violence against women in society, Khoza called for collective action and stressed the need for men to actively contribute to creating safe environments for women.

“It is time to stand up against the abuse of women and children in our communities. We need to unite against these atrocities.”

She further urged the community to work together in a concerted effort to end these senseless acts of brutality directed at women.

“The killing of women sets the gains of democracy back in our province and the country. We are known as a province with a high rate of violent crime, and that needs to change. It is disheartening that women are not safe even in their homes,” added MEC Khoza.

We need to ensure that criminals are not hidden but are apprehended by the police.

The statement added that Khoza has dispatched a team of social workers to provide psycho-social support to the grieving family and the school where the deceased teacher worked.