The families of a Pietermaritzburg couple who were brutally gunned down in their home are devastated and demanding answers.

The couple’s six-year-old foster granddaughter ‘miraculously’ escaped the deadly attack.

Xolani Ngcobo (51) and his wife, Nomusa Cele (47), were at their home in the Emaqeleni area of Imbali Unit J when unknown men cut through the fence and broke in at around 02:00 on Sunday.

The couple, who had been married for four years, were murdered, while their young foster granddaughter managed to escape unharmed during the terrifying ordeal.

A source told The Witness that the intruders smashed the main door down and went straight to the bedroom.

They shot Ngcobo twice in the back of the head. He was found lying face down on a garden spade inside the room. Cele was then allegedly taken to a tuckshop container in the yard, rented by an Ethiopian national. She was told to ask for change for R50.

It is believed the foreign national feared for his life and pressed a panic button.

“The men then shot Cele twice on the right side of her head before fleeing the scene. A security company responded to the panic alarm, and the SAPS were called,” the source said.

Sindisiwe Ngobese, Cele’s sister, spoke about the trauma her family is enduring and the mystery surrounding the six-year-old’s escape.

“We don’t know how her granddaughter managed to escape during the attack, but we are thankful. This incident has left us traumatised. Why was she killed so brutally? We are also struggling to find the means to bury her and appeal for help.”

Bongani Ngcobo, Xolani’s father, said the family was shocked by the news.

“We had no idea he had enemies. He was a bricklayer, well-respected in the community. All we want now is for the killers to be caught because their freedom puts others at risk.”

Ward councillor Bhekabantu Zuma expressed the community’s shock.

“We thought the days of such crime were behind us, but it seems murders are on the rise again.

“We urge the SAPS to increase patrols, and for the community to come forward with any information,” said Zuma.

A community member, who asked not to be named for safety reasons, said for the intruders to gain entrance to the container tuck shop that the foreign national was operating from, they had to let someone from the house speak to him.

“The sad part is that people who are doing this are young. If people can take ownership of their businesses in townships, this could be a solution to the problem. It seems like people don’t like foreigners and take their money and stock to make their lives miserable. This has resulted in an increase in the criminal activities taking place in the area.”

uMgungundlovu district SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Sifiso Gwala confirmed that a double murder case has been opened.

Read the full article in The Witness.