A 75-year-old woman was hacked to death while sleeping in her Macambini home in Mandeni on Sunday.

iLembe police spokesperson Priya Nunkumar confirmed the horrific killing of Busisiwe Nokuthula MaMkhwanazi NgemaMandeni and said detectives from Nyoni Police Station are investigating a case of the murder.

It is alleged that robbers armed with pangas first broke into an outside room belonging to her son, who was at work at the time, and stole household items. They then entered the main house, where they found MaMkhwanazi asleep and attacked her. Her granddaughter, who was sleeping in another bedroom, escaped unharmed.

The African National Congress (ANC) in the General Gizenga Mpanza Region has condemned the brutal murder.

“What makes this tragedy particularly heartbreaking is that Gogo MaMkhwanazi was a deeply religious woman, widely loved and respected for her dedication to community upliftment projects,” said regional spokesperson Lucky Makhathini.

Makhathini called on residents with information that could lead to the arrest of the culprits to come forward and assist police.

He also warned residents against buying stolen goods, saying this encourages criminal activity.

“Crime must never be profitable in our communities. Enough is enough,” he said.

The party also encouraged residents to volunteer as police reservists and join community policing forums to help build safer communities.

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