The Newlands East community is reeling in shock after a mother and son were killed in a hail of bullets during a drive-by shooting on Katonkel Avenue on Wednesday, 7 September.
The deceased mother and son, Ntombizethu, 55 and Spha Simelane, 22, were in a vehicle with her other son, Nkosinathi and his partner when they were ambushed by unknown assailants who fired over 30 rounds. Nkosinathi and his partner are currently in hospital following the shooting. Provincial police spokesperson, Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said police received a complaint of a shooting on Katonkel Avenue. “On arrival they received information that four family members were seated in the vehicle at their place of residence when they were attacked by three unknown men. “They opened fire, fatally wounding two people aged 22 and 55 and injuring two. The injured victims were taken to hospital for medical attention. Charges of murder and attempted murder were opened for investigation.”
A family spokesperson, who did not want to be named because of fear for her safety, said that they were battling to come to terms with the untimely death of her aunt and cousin. She said that they had concluded a ceremony for another family member, Menzi Simelane, who was shot dead in KwaMashu three months ago. “We are now living in fear. We do not know who the suspects are and what they want from our family. We apologise to whoever is after our family and we are appealing to them to stop. We have lost two members of the family in one shooting and one is critical in hospital. We lost another family member three months ago. We are heartbroken and the pain we are going through right now is undescribable,” she said. She added that her aunt Ntombizethu was loved by the community. “My aunt was unemployed. She was an entrepreneur as she used to sell clothes, blankets and other items to make money. She looked after the whole family, including her siblings’ children. This is a huge loss to us as a family,” she said.
Sector 2 Newlands Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson, Allan Peterson sent his condolences to the family. “We pray for the speedy recovery of the victims who are still in hospital. Based on everything that has been happening in our community, it is difficult to distinguish whether the shooting was drug-related, turf-war or a misunderstanding between the young people in our communities. “Many residents now fear to even send their children to the shop because there is no guarantee that they will be coming back home safe. We have been having rapid gunfire in our communities and we do not know the reason but we assume that it is people who are trying to instil fear in our communities. “The community needs to work together with the SAPS and CPF to start social development projects that will occupy our young people with positive activities. On 15 October, we will be hosting a crime awareness campaign in our community where we will also launch our youth desk,” said Peterson. The deceased Ntombizethu and Spha Simelane will be laid to rest on Saturday, 17 September.
