Daily Sun (April 15 2015) - WHEN SHOTS rang out near their home, Mbali and her family rushed out to see what was going on.
Even in the gloomy darkness, the young woman recognised the body of Thabo, her teenage brother, lying on the ground.
HE HAD BEEN HIT THREE TIMES BY BULLETS FROM LOOTERS’ GUNS.
“Thabo was rushed to hospital, where he later died. This violence has robbed us of our brother,” Mbali Mzobe (20) told Daily Sun.
Mbali said the family was watching TV in their home in Lindelani, KwaMashu, north of Durban on Monday night at about 11pm.
“When we heard loud noises outside we went to see what was happening. That’s when we found Thabo,” Mbali said.
Thabo was a grade 8 pupil at Machobeni Senior Primary School.
It appears looters were firing at cops and journalists when Thabo got caught in the crossfire.
Colonel Jay Naicker said the dead boy sustained three gunshot wounds and was taken to hospital, where he later died.
“Ntuzuma police are investigating a case of murder but no arrest has been made at this stage,” said Naicker.
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RAGE ROCKS CBD!
Minister says there’s no need to call army
WHILE government was briefing the media on its plan to contain violence against foreigners, a commotion broke out only a few metres away in the Durban CBD. Cries of “Hambani! Hambani! Go! Go!” were heard as people threw stones and bricks at foreigners.
The foreigners quickly closed their shops for fear of looting and retaliated by throwing bottles. Dr Pixley KaSeme Street was closed and cops dispersed looters with teargas.
-During the briefing, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba said he and all the MECs will lead a massive peace march scheduled for tomorrow.
He said people will assemble at Curries Fountain at 10am before marching to the Durban City Hall.
KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu said MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu will meet township business leaders today and tomorrow.
-Mchunu said the violence has resulted in four deaths in different townships, including two locals and two foreigners. He added that Judge Navi Pillay will lead a panel to investigate the causes of the violence.
-At the same briefing, Gigaba denied that he apologised to King Goodwill Zwelithini for saying earlier that the king should stop using inflammatory language.
-Yesterday morning, Premier Mchunu and Gigaba also hosted diplomats from African states to discuss the attacks.
-Late yesterday, a group of 4 000 people who appeared to be foreigners, some armed with pangas, erected a burning barricade in the middle of Mahatma Gandhi Road in Durban’s Point district. Police later managed to put out the barricade with a water cannon. Live rounds could also be heard.
-In Pinetown, many foreign-owned shops were closed early on Monday and yesterday after incidents of looting.
-At a media briefing at Cape Town Parliament yesterday morning, Defence Minister Nosivive Mapisa-Nqakula said government will do everything within the law to ensure the safety of all people in South Africa, irrespective of their status. “The recent spate of attacks against foreign nationals in some parts of KZN must be condemned by all South Africans,” said Mapisa-Nqakula and State Security Minister David Mahlobo.
-To date, 48 people have been arrested but Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko said there was no need to ask the army for help.
He said what was being witnessed was a form of African self-hate.
- Gigaba added that a directive has been issued by President Jacob Zuma to protect all human life, whether foreign nationals or South Africans.
He said the priority was to protect those under attack whether they were documented or not.
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