LISWATI SHOT DEAD IN SA

MBABANE – A liSwati man was shot dead at the home of a former ANC Councillor at Nzimane, in U-trecht within the KwaZulu-Natal Province on Friday night.

The man identified as Maxwell Sive Dlamini died in a hail of bullets targeted at the home owner, former Councillor Mavis Phenyane. Dlamini was said to have been fond of relaxing at the Phenyane home, with friends. He also occasionally did menial tasks when asked by the Phenyane family.  He was identified as a liSwati, though his family in the country had not been identified by yesterday. Further investigation by this newspaper found that his ID number was 9008246100683.

He sustained three bullet wounds, one to his chest and two on the thighs during the attack on the family. He died on the spot.
Dlamini migrated to South Africa in search of job opportunities, where he worked for an employer who had a tree-felling business.

The former councillor was also shot dead together with family members, who were identified as Siyanda Nzima and Thobile Phenyane, according to Isolezwe, the South African daily newspaper.

Family member dies

Another member of the family died on Monday due to shock, bringing the number of fatalities to five. The gunman was still at large by yesterday.
The newspaper reported that the family had a shop within the residence where they were attacked by the rogue shooter, carrying an automatic rifle.

“An unknown man arrived late in the day, and asked to buy a bottle of beer and was informed that there was none in the shop. He left and came back again with the similar request for beer, and alarmed family members started asking why he wanted them to repeat one and the same thing as they had informed him that there was no beer. He then asked for Mrs Phenyane, further divulging that he was on a mission to kill her. Immediately, he then started shooting,” a family member, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of her life, was quoted as having said in the SA publication.

The family member was quoted saying the first fatal shot hit a woman who had a three-month-old baby. Other family members are said to have taken cover under tables but the ruthless gunmen continued to spray bullets until the councillor and Dlamini were also hit.

“A male member of the family who was visiting neighbours heard the gunshots and quickly ran home to investigate, but was unlucky to come across the gunmen on his way out and he shot him as well. An alarmed neighbour who also asked what was happening was shot at,” reads the publication.

The incident, according to the paper, was confirmed by KwaZulu Natal Lt Colonel Thulani Zwane, who said four counts of murder were being investigated.
The remaining family members were said to have vacated the home yesterday and moved to another place in fear of being attacked.

“A truck was used to ferry all the family’s belongings. Livestock was also driven on foot to an unknown destination,” the family source said.
A sister to the former councillor, Sibongile Sibisi, in an interview with this reporter yesterday, said the funeral of the Phenyane family members would be held on Saturday, though Dlamini’s body would remain at the government mortuary.

Avoid a pauper’s funeral
“It is urgent that his family be identified to avoid a pauper’s funeral,” she said.
Sibisi said friends of Dlamini said he had used an informal border crossing point when entering SA to avoid being allowed only a month’s stay, as is the norm for visitors’ permits.

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