B Cele on killing of member of iThemba gospel group

26 February 2009

The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Mr Bheki
Cele has strongly condemned the despicable brutal killing of the member of
iThemba gospel group, who was shot and killed in the early hours of this
morning at his home at uMlazi J section.

This follows the series of criminal acts involving kidnapping, attempted
murder and rape by an unknown group of thugs. According to preliminary reports,
the series of criminal acts started in the early hours of today where it is
alleged that four suspects armed, kidnapped six girls from the informal
settlement at uMlazi J section where they allegedly raped two out of the six.
They then took them to Welbarduch near Chartsworth into a house where they shot
one colored female in the head, one male in the neck and the other one in the
thigh.

It is reported that they were rushed to a nearby hospital in a critical
condition. They then proceeded to N section at uMlazi with the six girls to the
Mkhanyawo household. They allegedly forced the girls to pretend to be police,
where a girl (19) from the house opened the door, forcing her to knock at her
uncle's outbuilding, pretending to be police again. When the uncle refused to
open, the four suspects allegedly forced entry and shot the uncle (Philani
“Amen” Mkhanyawo - 32) three times and he died at the scene. It alleged that
they then raped the 19-year-old girl on her uncle’s bed with his body on the
floor. The suspects stole his clothes, six cell phones and food.

The police are investigating the matter and have opened five counts of
charges which are kidnapping, rape, attempted murder and robbery.

“I am deeply appalled and sadden by the act of these hooligans. This kind of
behaviour is totally brutal and unacceptable. The South African Police Service
(SAPS) will work sleepless nights to make sure that the perpetrators are caught
and dealt with accordingly. My deepest condolences go to family and friends of
Mkhanyawo. His death was a loss not only to them but to the broader community
and the department as well. May his soul rest in peace,” said Cele

Media Contact:
Nonkululeko Mbatha
Cell: 083 645 6252

Issued by: Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison,
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
26 February 2009
Source: Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, KwaZulu-Natal
Provincial Government (http://www.kzncomsafety.gov.za)