Nongoma politician, schoolchildren gunned down outside Mtubatuba

THE task team responsible for investigating political killings has been dispatched to Nongoma after an IFP councillor was gunned down in a hail of bullets.

The incident occurred at around 3pm on Wednesday.

Ndukenhle Duma, who was the Ward 11 councillor at Nongoma Municipality, was reportedly driving from Nongoma to Mtubatuba when his vehicle broke down along the R618 in the Kubuka area of Mtubatuba.

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When he got out to tend to his broken down vehicle, he was ambushed by a group of gunmen who, according to police reports, stopped next to his vehicle and opened fire.

Duma reportedly tried to flee on foot from his attackers, who gave chase, shooting him multiple times. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

“The suspects then fired shots at a passing scholar transport taxi that was transporting schoolchildren. Four children were shot and wounded, and two of them, aged 11 and 12, sadly succumbed to their injuries,” said SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.

One child was declared deceased at the scene, while the second died at Hlabisa Hospital.

Police commissioner General Fannie Masemola has deployed the national task team, whose members have launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.

“General Masemola assures the community of Nongoma that police are working around the clock to trace and apprehend those behind this attack,” said Mathe.

The police urge members of the community who may have information regarding this attack, to assist in investigations.

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