Suspected rivalry between sand miners allegedly spilled over into violence on Monday, when Groutville sand mining entrepreneur, Daniel Nyathi, was shot dead by an unknown gunman.

Nyathi was shot seven times by the assailant when he arrived at his mining place near Thembeni.

According to his father, Aaron, his son was being intimidated by another local sand miner and they suspect that the murder is related to the sand mining dispute.

“It was his first day back at work after he and his workers were beaten up by a group of people at his site last month. They told him to stop mining there,” Aaron said.
Nyathi obtained a restraining order against the other sand mining group, for fear for his life.

His family had wanted him to stop the mining business because it was putting his life in danger.

However, Nyathi told his family that he would rather die working because he was not fighting anyone, he was just trying to put food on the table for his family.

The father of five children started the sand mining business, KwaDukuza Mining Group, early this year and it was apparently doing well.

“We just cannot understand why someone would kill him. He was just a young man trying to make an honest living.

“He was not even an aggressive person. Even if you got to fight with him, verbally, before the day ended he would ensure that he made peace with you.

“We are very shocked and heartbroken,” said Aaron.

Kwa-Zulu Natal police spokesperson lieutenant colonel Thulani Zwane said a case of murder was being investigated by KwaDukuza SAPS.

“He had multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body and was certified dead at the scene. The motive for the killing is yet to be established as investigations continue.

“We can confirm there was a restraining order that was opened by the victim,” said Zwane.

The sand mining business on the North Coast is highly competitive and frequently associated with criminal elements.

Although required by law to be licenced by the government, very often they openly operate illegally.

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