Umzumbe man shot dead in Chatsworth
The family said what was more hurtful was that the deceased is survived by a 13-year-old son who does not have a birth certificate.
Chatsworth police are investigating the murder of a 34-year-old Umzumbe man who was gunned down on July 7.
Senzo Cele was from the Nyonyana area under Umzumbe, but lived in Chatsworth while looking for work.
KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said Chatsworth Saps have opened a murder case.
“Reports indicate that the victim (Cele) was on Raffia Road when an unknown man wearing a mask opened fire, fatally wounding him. The motive for the killing is unknown. The family is advised to make contact with the station for the latest updates regarding the case,” he said.
Cele’s mother, Dumazile Bayeni, said they want the police to bring the perpetrator to book.
“Whoever is guilty of the crime needs to pay for it,” she said.
Bayeni said what is more hurtful is that Senzo is survived by a 13-year-old son who does not have a birth certificate.
“We have been everywhere and knocked on every door to get assistance. Senzo was asked to do a DNA test to prove that he was the father of the child. As he was still looking for a job, he died without doing the DNA test,” she said.
She added that they need local government officials to assist in getting the child his birth certificate, so that he can receive a social grant like other children.
“The mother left him with us when she was only three months old. He looks exactly like his father, which is why we decided to raise him. But now, trying to do this without his dad is going to be difficult,” she said.
“I received a call from Senzo’s brother who lived with him in Chatsworth. He said he went outside to check what was happening after hearing gunshots, only to find that it was his brother who was killed. His death has broken our hearts because Senzo liked jokes and would never hurt a fly, so we do not know what happened.”
Ward 16 councillor Bhekani Mngoma said he will try to assist the family by bringing in a social worker.
“I believe that a social worker would know the current status of the child’s case. Also, if anyone knows the whereabouts of the mother, I will accompany the social worker to that place to find her,” he said.
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