A family in Bottlebrush, Chatsworth say they are fearing for their lives after a grandmother and her daughter were gunned down and an eight-year-old boy shot and injured on Sunday evening, allegedly by a man known to them who they claim has a history of violent behaviour.

The grieving family told Rising Sun Newspapers that the man arrived at their home to pick up his two children from Zanele Sharon Manzi (39), who was his ex-girlfriend.

They say instead of taking his children and leaving, he opened fire on the family killing Qhamkile Doreen Manzi (70) in the kitchen before chasing down Zanele and shooting her in the head at point-blank range.

The family claims that the man then turned to his eight-year-old son, who just witnessed his father murder his grandmother and mother, and shot him. The boy was allegedly rushed to hospital in a private car.

The family says that after the shooting, the man grabbed his five-year-old daughter and fled to his home in Greytown, where he dropped her off at the gate and left.

Provincial police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda says Chatsworth police are investigating two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder as well as kidnapping following the incident.

“It is alleged that a mother and her daughter were shot and fatally wounded at their home by a suspect known to them. It is also alleged that the suspect shot and injured a boy, who was rushed to hospital for medical attention. The suspect reportedly fled the scene with a child,” says Netshiunda.

Zanele’s sister Nokuthula was asleep when her family members were gunned down just outside her door.

“It all still seems surreal – why and how can someone be so heartless to kill the mother of his children and try to kill his own child? Where is his conscience? Did he feel anything when they were all pleading for help?

“We have a lot of questions which we are unable to answer. [We] are being consumed by this and the grief of losing our mother and my little sister.”

Nokuthula says she was awoken by her neighbours, who told her that her sister and mother have been killed.

“I stepped out to find my mother lying dead in the kitchen. My sister was shot at a close range.”

She says her sister was humble, quiet, and soft-spoken and always wanted to make people happy.

“She and her ex-boyfriend had a complicated relationship where he would abuse her and she would leave him, before going back to live with him. One day she left him for good after she told us that he had shot her in the ear and face.

“He took the two children last July, and only brought them back last Wednesday, stating that he would come back for them on Sunday.”

Nokuthula says her mother was an ANC veteran.

“A lot of residents and community members were shocked that she was murdered – we were also visited by the ward councillor. We do not know why he shot them, and we do not know if he will strike again. We are afraid that he may come back to shoot us if he is not arrested soon,” she says.

The ANC branch in Ward 17 appealed to the community to come forward with ‘any reports or evidence of the incident and identification of the alleged suspect’.

In a statement they say: “Comrade Mam Doreen was a pillar of our community, unmatched in ethics and principles, she would be the first to point out any wrong [-doing] or warn us to avoid any danger.

ANC members visited the injured boy in hospital.

“Although, he remains in a critical state. He did, however, wake up and the family will be by his side.”

According to the statement, the incident took place at around 18:00 during load-shedding.

“The alleged suspect entered and exited through Papavar Road. If anyone has any video evidence, please provide us with this. The alleged suspect had fled the scene with Comrade Doreen’s minor granddaughter, who has been reported as a missing person. We need to ensure justice for the Manzi family. Let us work with the police to ensure justice.”

Should anyone have information that can assist in the investigation, Chatsworth SAPS can be contacted on 031 451 4267.