The brutal murder of a policeman and his family in Port Edward in KwaZulu-Natal over the weekend, has sent shockwaves through the country. Top cops visited the area yesterday where the family was ambushed in their car and gunned down meters away from their home on Saturday.

Roger Mavundla, his fiancé, Khanyisile Mthulisi (39) their children Siyamthanda Mthulisi (10) and Thando Mavundla (17) all succumbed to their injuries. Simthandile Mthulisi (7), the sole survivor of the incident, is in a critical condition in hospital.

Police Minister Bheki Cele, Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale and national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola visited Port Edward yesterday.

Cele urged detectives to pursue all available avenues to find Mavundla and his family’s killers.

Ministry spokesperson Lirandzu Themba says: “While the motive is yet to be confirmed, investigators from the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations (DPCI) are following-up on leads with the aim to find and prosecute the perpetrators of the heinous crime.”

The 49-year-old policeman was described as a respected and dedicated public servant.

Minister Cele has assured the bereaved family and community at large that this crime will not go unpunished.

“While we are aware that policing is a dangerous job, it is very shocking and truly disturbing that an officer who has been described as a good man dedicated to his work, is brutally killed along with his young family.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the young girl who is fighting for her life in hospital and hope she recovers from this tragedy.”

Cele says law enforcement’s job is to ensure that a thorough investigation is done so that the results thereof will bring the affected families, the community and the nation, some sort of closure.

According to crime statistics, 22 police members were killed between July and September 2022.

Mavundla and his family will be laid to rest this weekend. – SAnews.gov.za