Mbazwana murder mystifies family

The family of Philisiwe Mdletshe (55) from the Sonto area in Mbazwana is puzzled by her cold-blooded murder in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Mdletshe’s daughter, Ntobeko one of six children the deceased leaves behind, audibly confused, said her mother would tell her family whenever she had had a disagreement with anyone and there has been no recent dispute that could raise alarm or cause suspicion.

Ntobeko, who lives on the same property as her murdered mother but in a separate house, said she was asleep in her quarters when she heard ‘strange noises’ – including someone crying – coming from a place she could not pinpoint.

“When I peeked through the window, I saw someone leaving my mother’s house but it was too dark and I could not make out who it was,” said Ntobeko.

She said this was around 2am, and that it was later discovered that the unknown suspects had used something to yank open the burglar door from the bottom and break through the bottom half of the wooden door to enter her mother’s home.

Ntobeko added that her mother was with her grandson at the time of the murder.

SAPS uMkhanyakude district spokesperson Captain Sbusiso Mkhize said an investigation has been launched.

Mkhize said, upon arrival at the scene, the police discovered that the deceased had two gunshot wounds to the head.

He said two unknown suspects forcibly gained entry into her home, and that a quarrel allegedly ensued between the deceased and the suspects before gunshots went off.

“The motive for her murder is unknown at this stage; the police are investigating the matter,” said Mkhize.

He said the police condemn this gruesome murder, as it highlights the scourge of murder and abuse of women.

“We urge our men to protect women and children, and that when people encounter differences, there are many ways to solve issues without taking the decision to use weapons, abuse or violence,” he said.