Umdoni Inkosi shot and killed at home
Mayor Khathi and her colleagues at the municipality were saddened by news of his death just a few days after the death of another traditional leader.
Umdoni Municipality’s Inkosi Sifiso Derrick Cele (47) of the KwaCele Traditional Council, was murdered at his home last Wednesday (10th).
According to police, Inkosi Cele arrived at his house at about 11pm and was approaching his garage when he was suddenly targeted by unknown gunmen who opened fire at him.
“A family member who heard the gunshots was unable to see anything going on outside because of load shedding at the time,” explained Scottburgh Saps communications officer, Captain Adam Francis.
Only after midnight was the Inkosi found with multiple gunshot injuries and rushed to the hospital.
He succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital.
The news about Inkosi Cele’s murder rapidly spread and left the KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) member of executive council (MEC), Sipho Hlomuka, in disbelief.
MEC Hlomuka condemns the murder and refers to it as an attack on the institution of traditional leadership in the province.
“I call upon law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of the cowards responsible for this act,” he said, in a media release on behalf of Cogta.
MEC Hlomuka visited the Cele family last Saturday (13th) to pay his respects and stressed the call for law enforcement to hunt down the gunmen.
The MEC was accompanied by the chairman of the Ugu Local House of Traditional Leaders, Inkosi RS Shinga, as well as by Umdoni Municipality’s mayor, Councillor Sibongile Khathi.
Inkosi Cele served as a member of the Umdoni Council since the inauguration of the current term of office back in 2016.
Mayor Khathi and her colleagues at the municipality were saddened by news of his death just a few days after the death of another traditional leader.
Prior to Inkosi Cele’s murder, Inkosi Elliott Zamokuhle Mkhize of the uKuthula Traditional Council died from an illness.
Umdoni’s speaker of the council, Councillor Nombuso Mpanza-Mngadi, gave her condolences to the families and communities of these traditional leaders.
“Both Inkosi Cele and Inkosi Mkhize were instrumental in the development of their areas and embraced working with Umdoni Municipality towards the development of their communities,” said Cllr Mpanza-Mngadi.
Mayor Khathi shared similar sentiments and referred to both leaders as committed individuals.
“They shared the same vision as Umdoni and it was an honour and a privilege to have worked with them,” she said.
She said their names would forever be held in esteem for the support they continuously gave to the municipality in the advancement of the service delivery mandate.
Scottburgh Saps requests anyone with information regarding Inkosi Cele’s murder to contact Captain Alton Pakkies of the Scottburgh Detective Service at 039 9781900.
Alternatively, anonymous calls can be made to Crime Stop at 086 0010111.
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